Farm raid nets 12 suspect workers

A dozen suspected illegal workers were arrested following the raid

A dozen suspected illegal workers have been arrested on a poultry farm in Devon following an early morning raid.

About 50 UK Border Agency officials and police officers raided Merryfield Farm, near Crediton, just before 0700 BST.

It was one of the biggest immigration operations ever carried out by the UK Border Agency in the south west.

The workers, who are from Afghanistan and Africa, are now in custody. No charges have been brought against the owner of the farm.

He has, however, been served with a notice of potential liability and must prove that proper "right to work" checks were carried out.

If it is found the workers were employed illegally, their employer faces a maximum fine of £10,000 for each worker.