Six held in immigration raid on advice centre

SIX people have been arrested after a raid on an advice centre in Leeds thought to be involved in a suspected multi-million pound operation helping illegal Chinese immigrants enter Britain.
By Rob Parsons Crime Correspondent
Published 10th Oct 2013, 08:53 BST
Officers carrying out today's raidOfficers carrying out today's raid
Officers carrying out today's raid

The arrests came after a morning raid by police and Home Office teams on the city centre offices of unlicensed immigration advisory service Law Direct Associates Ltd.

One hundred officers were involved in the operation at Airedale House, in Albion Street, yesterday morning and arrested a 40-year-old man and five women aged between 22 and 34.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Home Office says the raids are “part of an ongoing investigation into the use of suspected fraudulent visa applications to assist the illegal entry of Chinese nationals into the UK”.

A total of 14 arrests were made after raids across the country, including 10 in West Yorkshire, one in Birmingham, one in County Durham and two in London.

Other arrests across Leeds included a 20-year-old woman at an address in Alwoodley, a 41-year-old man and 42-year-old woman in West Park and a 37-year-old woman in Yeadon.

They were all being questioned at police stations in West Yorkshire last night on suspicion of offences including conspiracy to facilitate a breach of UK immigration law, bribery of a public official and money laundering.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Adrian Watkins, from the Home Office Criminal and Financial Investigation (Immigration) team, said: “These arrests are part of an ongoing investigation into suspected breaches of UK immigration law through the visa application process. This investigation will continue with the evidence we have seized.”