Illegal immigrants are arrested in Ilford after police discover them hiding above an unlicensed shisha bar (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Illegal immigrants are arrested in Ilford after police discover them hiding above an unlicensed shisha bar

5:48pm Monday 6th July 2009 in

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FOUR illegal immigrants have been arrested after being found hiding above an unlicensed shisha bar.

Police revealed today how they searched the premises at the junction of Green Lane and Seven Kings Road in Ilford after residents said it was being used as a drugs den.

But in the raid on May 20 officers only discovered Egyptian-style shisha pipes, used for smoking flavored tobacco, and no trace of illegal drugs.

Continuing their search upstairs however, police found four illegal immigrants believed to be from India.

They were all arrested and handed over to the immigration authorities who are expected to deported them.

It is not clear whether the men were working at the premises.

A fifth man, believed to be from the Ilford area, is being investigated by Redbridge Council's licensing team.

Acting Sgt Katy Hawkes said: “That's why the local people thought it was drugs because it was young Asian males coming and going.

“All we found were shishas however and not any illegal drugs.”