AN IMMIGRATION offender has been ordered to hand over £6,700 seized during an operation in Thornton Heath.
Home Office immigration enforcement officers visited a house in Hamilton Road earlier this month, and questioned five people to check if they had the right to be in the UK.
During the operation, officers discovered £6,700 in cash concealed under a carpet.
The cash was seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) and, at a Croydon Magistrates' Court hearing last Friday, a magistrate magistrate ruled the money was proceeds of crime and ordered its forfeiture.
Five Indian men, aged between 25 and 48, who had overstayed their visas were arrested during the operation on February 3.
Two have since been removed from the UK, two have been placed on immigration bail pending removal and a another man has since failed to report to the Home Office.
Jill Smith, head of the South London Home Office Immigration Enforcement team, said: "This impressive cash seizure demonstrates our officers' ability to find more than just immigration offenders.
"The message is clear. Those who are in the country illegally will be arrested and removed.
"I would urge members of the public with information about suspected immigration abuse to get in touch."
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Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
