A MEMBER of staff from the Jewel Balti was arrested after the Monmouth restaurant was visited by Home Office Immigration Enforcement Officers last Saturday (11th July).

A Bangladeshi man, aged 42, was detained after being found working illegally in the restaurant's kitchen. Checks revealed that he had entered the UK illegally and he is currently in immigration detention, pending removal from the UK.

The business, based on Drybridge Street, Monmouth, has been served with a notice warning that a financial penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal worker found will be imposed unless the employer can demonstrate that appropriate right to work document checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or Home Office document.

Richard Johnson of the Home Office's Immigration Enforcement Team said: "We take reports of illegal working very seriously and carry out regular operations to tackle abuse of the system.

"Illegal working cheats the taxpayer, undercuts honest employers and means legitimate job seekers are denied employment opportunities. Employers who flout the rules could face a heavy penalty.

"We rely on information from members of the public and I would urge people to report suspected illegal working to us."

Anyone with information about illegal working in Wales can contact 029 2092 4727.