Two of Braintree’s most popular Indian food outlets face fines totally £240,000 after 12 illegal workers were discovered.

Home Office Immigration Enforcement officers raided the Merchant Spice restaurant in Fairfield Road and Balti Night takeaway in Manor Street, where six illegal workers were found at each premises.

Following the raids shortly before 6pm last Friday, checks revealed the 12 workers to be immigration offenders. 

Philip Hallwood, from Home Office Immigration Enforcement, said: “These arrests are a clear warning to those in Essex abusing our immigration laws."