A TAKEAWAY in Newry is facing a potential penalty of up to £80,000 after four immigration offenders from China were found working there.

In an intelligence-led operation, Immigration Enforcement officers visited Lee Garden at Merchants Quay on Saturday November 18.

The business was served a referral notice in relation to illegal workers. It warns that a penalty of up to £20,000 per worker arrested will be imposed unless the employer can demonstrate that appropriate right-to-work document checks were carried out. This includes seeing a passport or Home Office document confirming permission to work.

If proof is not provided, this is a potential total of up to £80,000.

Immigration checks at Lee Garden identified a 52-year-old man and 46-year-old woman who had no permission to work. Also identified were a 50-year-old man who had entered the UK illegally and a 45-year-old woman who overstayed her visa.

They are all now in detention while steps are taken to remove them from the UK.

Mike Golden, from Immigration Enforcement in Northern Ireland, said: "Those who use and exploit illegal workers face severe financial penalties.

"We are happy to work with businesses to ensure the right pre-employment checks are carried out, but those intent on operating outside the law will be found and will be punished."