THREE men have been detained following a raid on a Chinese restaurant in Prestonpans by immigration officers.

The Home Office said two Chinese men, aged 45 and 48, who were found working illegally in the Dragon Way were arrested during the raid, which took place shortly before 5pm on Thursday.

A third man, aged 53, was also arrested after a search of accommodation linked to the raid.

The restaurant has been served with a referral notice and could face a fine of £20,000 per illegal worker if it cannot demonstrate appropriate document checks were made for the two employees arrested.

A spokesperson for the Home Office said the raid was carried out by immigration enforcement officers.

They said: “Immigration checks revealed two Chinese men, aged 45 and 48, who were found to be working had entered the country illegally.

“During a subsequent search of accommodation a third immigration offender – a 53-year-old Chinese man who had also entered the country illegally – was identified.

“All three have been detained while steps are taken to remove them from the UK.

“The business was served with a referral notice in relation to the illegal workers arrested.

“The notice warns that a financial penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal found will be imposed unless the employers can demonstrate that appropriate right-to-work document checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or Home Office document confirming permission to work.

“If proof is not provided, this is a potential total of up to £40,000.”