TWO men face deportation after they were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences at an Indian restaurant last Thursday.

The Curry Leaf in Cinderford was raided at 6.30pm after Home Office Immigration Enforcement officers received a tip-off.

A spokesman for the Home Office UK Border Agency said that as officers entered the premises a man tried to hide in a tunnel underneath the premises but was caught. Checks on the man and other staff present resulted in three arrests for suspected immigration offences.

A 28-year-old and 35-year-old, from Bangladesh, were both confirmed to have over-stayed their visas. They are now being held in immigration detention to await removal from the country.

A third Bangladeshi staff member, a 21-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of an immigration offence but was released after questioning.

The business now faces a potential fine of up to £10,000 per illegal worker unless it can demonstrate that appropriate pre-employment checks were carried out such as seeing a passport or Home Office document.

Matthew Gregory, from Home Office Immigration Enforcement, said: "We are working hard to track down and remove from the country those who seek to abuse the UK's immigration laws. Operations like this are carried out regularly and we have no intention of slowing down.  

"The public can be a huge help in our work and I urge people with information about suspected immigration abuse to get in touch."

Anyone with information about immigration crime can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit www. crimestoppers-uk.org