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Two firms could face fines after 13 illegal workers were arrested during an immigration raid.

Twelve men and a woman were arrested in north Wales on 19 March.

FP McCann, a concrete supplier based in County Londonderry, has been referred for a penalty of up to £225,000 for employing five illegal contractors.

Adana Construction, from Stockport, has been referred for a penalty of up to £180,000 for employing four illegal workers.

"Illegal working causes untold harm to communities, puts vulnerable people at risk, defrauds the public purse and undercuts honest employers and jobseekers, HM Insp Ryan Moore said.

"This operation was a huge success and I thank our officers who executed it expertly".

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Office said the operation at the former paper mill where the workers were arrested was launched in response to concerns raised by the public.

Shotton Mill is being converted to a containerboard factory.

The 13 people arrested were working as subcontracted labourers and steel-fixers. The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Office said they would now be removed from the UK.

Both companies were issued with civil penalty referral notices, pending a review of evidence from the site visit and company records.

Under the civil penalty process, a referral notice is issued if officials determine they have found illegal workers and there is no statutory excuse for employing them.

At that stage the company can provide further evidence that it wants to be taken into account when determining liability and the level of any penalty.

The civil penalty can also be challenged in court. Fines for employing illegal workers were significantly increased in February.

The maximum civil penalty for a first breach increased from £15,000 a worker to £45,000 a worker.

This article was amended on 28 March 2024. In its original statement the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Office said the two firms had been fined. It subsequently clarified that they had been referred for civil penalty notices.