Officials from the Australian Border Force (ABF) conducted the covert operation late last week in Tamworth, Armidale, Gunnedah, Glen Innes, Narrabri and Scone, and found 21 persons of interest.

In a statement to The Leader, the ABF confirmed 12 men and nine women from countries including Malaysia, China, Fiji and Thailand had been stopped by officials.

“Nineteen were unlawful non-citizens and two were found to be working in breach of their visa conditions,” a spokesperson confirmed.

“Most of the individuals located were found to be working at small restaurants and food outlets.”

Fourteen of the men and women were detained and have been moved to detention centres. 

The ABF said the remaining seven had been granted bridging visas and ordered to re-engage with the department.

The compliance operations, which wrapped up late on Friday, were kept secret to ensure the safety of officials involved, The Leader was told.

The ABF said it was targeting illegal workers as well as employers and would impose hefty fines to deter illegal work practices.

The maximum penalty for individual illegal workers ranges from $3060 to $51,000 and or five years imprisonment, while body corporates face up to $255,000 for aggravated criminal offences.

“It is the responsibility of employers to ensure that any foreign workers they are considering employing hold valid visas with work rights,” a spokesperson said. “Employers can easily check visas and work rights through the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) tool, free of charge online.”

The department said locals with information on illegal workers or people over their visas can call the Immigration dob-in service on 1800 009 623.