A Llanymynech restaurant is facing a fine of £20,000 after immigration raids discovered two men who had overstayed their visas.

Officers swooped on Bengal Spices in Station Road to discover a 33 year old Bangladeshi man who had overstayed his work visa and who was working at the restaurant, and another 43 year old Bangladeshi national who had overstayed his visit visa was found in upstairs living accommodation.

The men are now being held in police cells and are awaiting deportation to Bangladesh.

The raids were part of a series of operations across mid and South Wales which saw suspected illegal immigrants detained in Llandrindod Wells, Merthy Tydfil, Cardigan and Chepstow. At the Fish Bar in Llandrindod a 44 year old Indian man was detained after checks revealed he had overstayed his work visa. The businesses involved now face potential penalties totalling £140,000.

Richard Johnson, from Immigration Enforcement in Wales, said: “We are happy to work with businesses to explain the simple pre-employment checks needed to establish a person’s right to work in the UK, but to those who choose to ignore the rules the message is clear - we will find you and you will face a heavy financial penalty.

"Illegal working is not victimless; it undercuts honest employers, cheats legitimate job seekers out of employment opportunities and defrauds the public purse.

"I urge anyone with specific and detailed information about suspected immigration abuse to get in touch."