The National Police have arrested an Indian couple in Yaiza (Lanzarote) for employing 12 people who were in an “irregular situation” in the Canary Islands, without the correct paperwork to stay or work here.
The arrests took place as part of an investigation conducted by the National Police in collaboration with work inspectors from the Department of Social Security.
According to an official police press release, the police operation targeted three businesses in the municipality to detect and eliminate possible offences related to workers' rights, social security fraud, and human trafficking.
During the operation, carried out on 21st February, the police carried out inspections at the three commercial establishments, identifying a total of 17 staff, including business owners and employees. Among them, 12 were found to be in an irregular administrative situation in Spain and working illegally.
As a result, the couple managing the businesses, aged 49 and 43, with no prior criminal records, were arrested. They now face charges of facilitating illegal immigration and violating workers’ rights by repeatedly hiring foreign citizens without legal work permits in Spain, in breach of labour and immigration laws.
Additionally, within the scope of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security's authority, a disciplinary procedure has been initiated against the couple’s businesses for employment irregularities. These offences carry fines up to €10,000 per illegally employed worker.
