RALPH BANWARIE
Eight Chinese here illegally were among 12 foreign nationals arrested in Sangre Grande over the weekend by Immigration officers during an anti-crime exercise conducted in business places such as restaurants and supermarkets.
The Immigration officers were checking on work permits during the exercise and apart from the Chinese nationals, seven men and a woman, detained a Colombian, Vincentian, Jamaican and a Guyanese national.
In one case, the arrest of the Chinese nationals resulted in the closure of two Chinese restaurants on the Eastern Main Road. The arrested immigrants were all taken to the Detention Center in Aripo, where they were being interrogated by officers up to yesterday.
During the exercise, Immigration officials warned business owners who operated their business with employees who do not have the necessary work documents that they would be clamped down on in future.
Members of the public were also surprised when Immigration officials, police and soldiers entered several business places checking on the status of employees.
One Immigration source told T&T Guardian that too often when the officers went to business places operated by Chinese, other non-nationals they have problems when they ask them to produce legal documents such as work permits.
In addition to the 12 immigrants arrested, four people were held with marijuana, three for outstanding warrants and three for driving under the influence of alcohol. They are to be taken before a magistrate in the Sangre Grande Court today.
Charges were laid by WPCs Phillip and Hamid.