Seven arrested in immigration crime investigation

Seven people have been arrested in a five-day crackdown on organised immigration crime across West Yorkshire.

Thousands of pounds worth of illicit cigarettes and drugs were seized by police between 15 June and 20 June as officers targeted car washes, restaurants and corner shops.

Police said they found people in 31 High Street locations living in unfit conditions, working on expired visas and being paid below the National Minimum Wage.

Det Insp Victoria Daniel-Thomas, from the Modern Slavery Human Trafficking team, said the raids were intended to make West Yorkshire a "difficult place for criminal gangs".

"Organised crime is connected to violence, exploitation and anti-social behaviour and we aim to identify and protect anyone at risk," she said.

Officers also seized 4.4lbs (2kg) of cannabis, said to be worth about £7,000, three vehicles and about £68,000 in illicit cigarettes.

"Organised crime groups often exploit vulnerable people by facilitating illegal entry into the UK, exposing them to dangerous journeys and exploitative conditions," a spokesperson said.

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