Illegal workers in Ashford and Tenterden have been targeted as part of a countywide operation by the UK Border Agency.

The weekend raids focused on employees of the Hands-On Car Wash company and saw officers question car washers at Sainsbury’s in Ashford and the Tesco stores in Ashford and Tenterden.

St Michael’s resident Colin Roberts saw officers confront a car washer at the Tenterden supermarket on Sunday morning.

He said: “I was about to load the boot when a dark people carrier drew to a halt feet from where I was standing.

“Standing a yard from me was one of those friendly car washing guys complete with yellow tabard and trolley.

“He was on the phone when three policemen in black clothes and protective vests emerged from the people- carrier.

“They quickly surrounded the car washer. I heard the words 'We have a search warrant’ and 'Have you any identification?’.

“Meanwhile, another plain vehicle had drawn up to one of the other car washers and people were talking to him.”

According to the UK Border Agency, an Iranian man has been placed on immigration bail while officers work to remove him from the country.

An Afghan man was also arrested at Sainsbury’s in Simone Weil Avenue, Ashford. At the time of going to press he remains in custody pending his removal from the UK.

At Tesco in Park Farm, Ashford, two Iranians were accused of working illegally.

Raids were also carried out at supermarkets in Gillingham, Sittingbourne and Swanley.

Hands-On Car Wash was issued with a notice of potential liability at each location and now faces a fine of up to £10,000 per illegal worker.

To avoid a fine the employers must convince the agency that they carried out the correct right-to-work checks for employing outside of the EU.

A spokesman for Hands-On said: “We’re delighted with the arrests. This investigation was instigated by us to help our franchisees ensure the legality of their workers.

“Our co-operation with the UK Border Agency (UKBA) has always been 100 per cent. We have worked jointly and proactively with them to target illegal working within the car cleaning industry.

“We know that our franchisees take every precaution when checking workers’ papers and we’re confident there will be no fines.

“Forgeries have become so sophisticated that we and our franchisees need the assistance of the UKBA to help us – that’s why we called them and will keep doing so.”