Border Agency officials and PSNI officers raided the China Rendezvous restaurant at The Square last Wednesday evening.

Four men, understood to be Chinese nationals, were arrested on suspicion of working illegally.

A UK Border Agency spokesperson confirmed that the business is under investigation.

"If we receive intelligence that a business is employing illegal workers, we will act on it.

"We will not tolerate illegal working. That's why the UK Border Agency is investing more money in enforcement and forging ever closer links with the police," she said.

"It is the legal duty of all employers to ensure that those they employ are entitled to work in the UK. We have just changed the law to punish negligent bosses who fail to carry out the right checks on their staff. They now face on the spot fines of up to £10,000 per illegal worker, or jail if we can prove they have deliberately flouted the rules," the spokesperson added.

Newtownabbey Mayor Nigel Hamilton said that the raid on the China Rendezvous had the appearance of being "heavy handed."

"Although I do not condone the employment of suspected illegal immigrants, it is important that police are setting the right priorities. Ballyclare has had its fair share of criminality, especially concerning paramilitary gangs and drugs. We also have protection rackets run on many businesses in the town and I would hope that the policing of these issues attracts the same level of priority. Surely focusing police time on such pressing matters would also do much to muster support from the broader business community," he commented.

PSNI Area Commander, Paula Hilman, stressed that local officers were not involved in the raid, adding that Newtownabbey Police are committed to tackling issues such as paramilitarism and drug dealing.

"The operation was run by the Immigration Service, and while a Tactical Support Group and seconded PSNI officers offered support there was no local police input.

"We are dedicated to tackling crime in the Newtownabbey area and I would call on any member of the community with information about illegal activity to come forward and pass this information on to us so that we can act on it and bring those responsible before the courts," the Chief Inspector said.

The Ballyclare raid came just weeks after two men were detained by Border Agency officials in a similar operation at an Indian restaurant in Glengormley.