A MAN who entered the country illegally has been snared in Kilbowie following a police operation to tackle human trafficking.

The 51-year-old was discovered during a day of action on Monday which saw around 500 officers from the police and partner agencies visit numerous fisheries, car washes and nail bars throughout the country.

A Home Office spokeswoman told the Clydebank Post: "Officers visited a residential address in Clydebank.

"A 51-year-old man was found to have failed to comply with his conditions of entry to the UK.

"Arrangements are being made for him to be removed from the country."

Elsewhere, two men were arrested and a 15-year-old girl was taken into care after a Helensburgh business was raided during the operation.

The teenager was found at Nail Art in Sinclair Street.

A Home Office spokeswoman added: “Immigration Enforcement officers supported Police Scotland on an operation on May 15.

“At Nail Art, Sinclair Street, Helensburgh, two Vietnamese men were arrested, aged 26 and 43, who had both entered the UK illegally.

“The 26-year-old is detained pending removal from the UK and the 43-year-old has been ordered to report regularly to Immigration Enforcement while his case is progressed.

"A minor was encountered and Police Scotland referred her into the care of social services.

“Nail Art has been served with a notice warning that a financial penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal worker may be imposed on the employer unless evidence is provided that appropriate right to work document checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or Home Office document.

The operation was part of an ongoing response to the threat of modern slavery and human trafficking across the UK.

The discovery in Helensburgh follows an incident in January in which a 16-year-old Vietnamese boy was found “cowering in the bushes” in Alexandria after escaping from a group of human traffickers.

Detective Superintendent Stuart Houston from Police Scotland said: “People who exploit others have no conscience. They will exploit children and adults. Our intention is to stop them.

“I would encourage people to be aware of what is happening in their community, to have social and ethical awareness, and to report concerns that someone may be a victim of trafficking to Police Scotland.”