A MAN arrested on suspicion of immigration offences after police targeted a Maldon car wash was found to have entered the UK illegally.

Essex Police arrested a 26-year-old man at an address in Maldon on Monday.

The operation was part of a week of action to tackle human trafficking and modern slavery.

The man, from Albania, was arrested and taken to custody in Chelmsford before being interviewed by immigration enforcement officers.

He has now been transferred to an immigration detention centre before being sent home.

A spokesman for the Home Office said: β€œA 26-year-old man from Albania was interviewed by Immigration Enforcement officers after he was found to have entered the UK illegally.

β€œHe has been transferred to immigration detention pending removal from the country.”

Police also arrested a 24-year-old man on suspicion of immigration offences at the same address in Maldon.

A 35-year-old man was arrested at a car wash in Little Waltham after police found he was wanted on a European Arrest Warrant from Italy.

Checks at two other car washes in Maldon and Chelmsford found everything to be in order.