THREE illegal workers found during a raid at an Indian restaurant in Dor-chester face being deported.

The Bangladeshis are being questioned after the UK Border Agency raid at the Spice Centre in High West Street.

Officers from the agency targeted the Spice Centre on Tuesday as part of an ongoing nationwide campaign to tackle immigration crime.

A 34-year-old man was found to have entered the UK illegally, while two 26-year-old men were both found to have stayed in the country illegally once their visas had expired.

The UK Border Agency said that one of the 26-year-olds tried to escape officers but was caught.

It also said that Spice Centre is due to be issued with a civil penalty notice for employing illegal workers.

Abu Baker, the manager at the family-run restaurant, said: “When I employ people I do all the proper checks. As far as I was concerned, everyone here was a legal worker but the UK Border Agency said three of the visas were false. I was very shocked and I asked them, ‘how do I know if this person has a valid visa?’ – it’s very hard to tell.

“They advised me that if I employ people I should check on their helpline if I’m not 100 per cent sure and I will do that in future. I do my best to check everything.”

If employers are unable to provide evidence that legally-required checks were carried out before giving workers jobs, a fine of up to £10,000 for each offender will be imposed.

The assistant chef, one member of the kitchen staff and a waiter were the three workers who were found to be illegal workers.

Mr Baker added: “This was an honest mistake.”

A spokesman from the UK Border Agency confirmed that one of the workers was released from Bournemouth police station on immigration bail and the other two are due to be released today.