Suspected ringleaders of a gang operating a multi-million pound trade in illegal workers were arrested during raids by immigration officers.

A total of 49 people, including 45 workers mainly from eastern Europe, were arrested.

Five suspected leaders of the gang, believed to have organised a trade in hundreds of illegal workers throughout England, were arrested by the Immigration Service following swoops on houses in Littlehampton on Friday.

The raids were a result of information gathered from operations in Sussex during the summer in which 60 illegal immigrant workers were expelled from the country.

Officers wearing anti-stab vests arrived at one address at 6pm.

The team waited in unmarked vans outside the large detached house and pounced when two suspects arrived. More suspects were found in the house.

During the next one-and-a-half hours a succession of men and women were arrested as they turned up at the address.

Four of the suspected ringleaders were held on suspicion of facilitation of illegal entry into the UK.

They were later released on police bail pending further inquiries.

A fifth person suspected of committing offences under the Forgery and Counterfeit Act has been charged with using a false instrument.

Officers detained 23 of the suspects following a raid at Southern Glasshouse Produce Limited in Lake Lane, Barnham, near Bognor, on Saturday at 8am.

Residents had no idea what was happening.

Jan Bobrowski, 40, of Lake Lane, said: "A black police van pulled up outside my house at about 8am and several other police cars followed.

"I assumed somebody had escaped from Ford Prison."

Officers arrested a total of 45 workers during the operation, including illegal immigrants, people in breach of working permits, and some who had over-stayed their visas. Many now face being sent home.

Home Office minister Beverley Hughes hailed the raids as a symbol of the Government's determination to get tough on illegal workers and the "Mr Bigs" who supply their services.

Monday October 27, 2003