A joint operation targeting businesses breaking the law in Ealing has resulted in three arrests for immigration offences.
The discovery made by the Home Office during five days of action to tackle businesses flouting regulations, could see two employers face hefty fines for employing illegal workers.
A total of 17 businesses were visited by Ealing council's regulatory services team who were joined by Metropolitan Police, Home Office, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Gangmasters Licensing Authority and London Fire Brigade between February 17 and 25.
Officers also seized potentially unsafe fish smuggled in from outside the EU in a consignment of vegetables and HMRC officers also gathered information on possible irregularities in VAT, income tax and national minimum wage (NMW).
In previous months, businesses which failed to pay its workers the NMW led to three west London businesses named and shamed.
Organisations inspected for flouting regulations including food importers, hotels and guest houses, hot food takeaways, shisha premises and food manufacturers.
A number of food establishments have previously been reported as having zero food hygiene ratings, including 37 in Ealing alone.
Sergeant Graham Edwards, of Ealing Police licensing, said: “The Metropolitan Police Service is committed to reducing all licensing-related crime within the borough.
“We continue to work in close partnership with the council’s regulatory services and safer communities teams to pursue businesses that break the law and demonstrate a disregard for the community, placing the public at risk.”
The joint operation across the borough was conducted under the Better Business Compliance Partnership which brings together intelligence of national bodies to support council teams tackle non-compliant businesses.
Pat Hayes, the council’s executive director for regeneration and housing, added: “These partnership operations have successfully dealt with some of the unlawful practices adopted by unscrupulous business people.
“The council is committed to making Ealing a better place for everyone and our joint work with organisations such as the police, HMRC and the fire service is helping protect people while helping law-abiding businesses to thrive.”
