A PETROL station convenience store is facing a fine of up to £20,000 after immigration officers raided the premises at 5.30am.

An Indian man was found working illegally at the Hursts store at the Newport Road BP garage in Chepstow when officers visited the premises early on Tuesday, January 16 .

The raid identified the 37-year-old as overstaying his student visa, and the business was served with a notice warning that it faced a financial penalty of up to £20,000 unless they could demonstrate that appropriate document checks were carried out.

The man concerned was released after questioning and has now made an immigration application which remains outstanding.

The store was one of six businesses raided across Wales, including a riverboat curry house, a fish bar and a car wash.

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.”

The man must now report regularly to Immigration Enforcement while his case is progressed.

People with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact www.gov.uk/report-immigration-crime or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

MRH Retail, which owns the Hursts chain, said it had since terminated the agreement with the site operator.