A MOROCCAN man who was working illegally at an Aldeburgh restaurant was arrested last night as part of a UK Border Agency operation.

The enforcement operation was part of planned nationwide action by the UK Border Agency to tackle illegal working, sham marriages, bogus colleges and organised immigration crime.

Acting on intelligence, officers raided Prezzo in the High Street and immigration checks revealed that one of the chefs was in the country illegally and working without permission.

The 37-year-old Moroccan man, who was using a false French ID, remains in detention while arrangements are made for his removal from the country.

The business was issued with an on-the-spot warning that it could be fined up to �10,000 for employing the illegal worker, unless bosses can prove that they carried out the correct right-to-work checks.

Inspector Cheryl Daldry, from the Local Immigration Team for Suffolk and North East Essex, said: “Illegal working is unfair on honest employers who recruit staff with the right to work in the UK and who pay them a proper salary.

“We are happy to work with businesses to ensure the right pre-employment checks are carried out. But bosses that don’t play by the rules face on the spot fines and could potentially end up in jail.

“There are strict rules about which foreign nationals can get a job in the UK and businesses have a clear responsibility to carry out the right checks.”

Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/report-immigration-crime.