Three men arrested at DPD warehouse in Edinburgh over suspected immigration offences
The operation was the result of extensive planning and intelligence gathering.
Three men have been arrested in a raid at a DPD warehouse in Edinburgh over suspected immigration offenses as part of a UK-wide crackdown on illegal working in the delivery sector.
The DPD depot on Cliftonhall Road, in the Newbridge area, was raided by the Home Office on Thursday, October 22.
Immigration Enforcement officers carried out a warrant-backed operation at the site.
They arrested two Indian nationals suspected of working in breach of their bail and visa conditions, and a Moroccan national suspected of working without permission.
All three have been placed on immigration bail, subject to strict conditions, while further inquiries are carried out.
The Home Office said the men could be removed from the UK if they are found to have been working unlawfully.
Investigations are also underway to establish who was responsible for employing the individuals.
Employers who are found to have breached the law can face fines of up to £60,000 per worker.
The operation was described by the Home Office as the result of extensive planning and intelligence gathering, as the Government steps up efforts to tackle illegal working in the parcel delivery industry.
Eddy Montgomery, director of immigration enforcement, compliance and crime, said: “I thank the officers involved in this operation for another successful enforcement visit.
“We are continuing to develop our working relationship with DPD, who are actively assisting us with ongoing work to ensure compliance with the law in the delivery sector.
“My teams are delivering record levels of illegal working activity, and this remains crucial in removing a pull factor which drives illegal migration to the UK.”
The arrests come as Immigration Enforcement reported its highest ever number of visits and arrests in the first half of 2026.
The Government has also been working closely with courier companies to prevent illegal working.
In October, the Home Office hosted representatives from courier firms for its second roundtable discussion on the issue, signalling closer cooperation with the industry.
New legislation introduced at the start of October also requires companies using flexible working arrangements to carry out right-to-work checks to ensure people working in their name are legally eligible to work in the UK.
A DPD UK spokesman said: “DPD UK continues to work collaboratively with the Home Office to enable Right to Work checks to be carried out on associated delivery partners at DPD locations.
“As a result of those checks, individuals have been detained pending verification of their documentation.
“Right to Work checks are in place across DPD for both our colleagues and our delivery partners and we remain fully committed to working with the Home Office to tackle illegal working in our sector.”
Police Scotland have also been approached for further comment regarding the three arrests.