By Federica Stefani

Copyright inverness-courier

Two people were arrested after an immigration enforcement raid at a Nairn takeaway earlier this week.

The Home Office has confirmed that a man and a woman were arrested on Wednesday evening after Immigration Enforcement officers carried out an “intelligence-led visit” to the Chinese takeaway Lucky House, on the High Street.

Both of the individuals arrested were found to be working without permission in the United Kingdom, with a Civil Penalty Notice was issued at the time of the visit.

Although the amount of the fine remains unknown, businesses found employing individuals who don’t have the right to work in the UK can face penalty fines of up to £60,000 for each illegal worker.

The business was closed immediately after the incident — however it has been recently announced that it is expected to reopen on Tuesday next week.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Illegal working undermines honest employers, undercuts local wages, and fuels the criminal industry of immigration crime.

“This government is determined to clamp down on that illegal activity in every sector where it occurs, including the hospitality sector.

“Under this government, enforcement action nationwide has increased, with visits and arrests up by around 50 per cent on the previous twelve months, and we will be stepping up that action further in the year ahead.”

Lucky House has been contacted for comment.