Officers on Tuesday night executed simultaneous search warrants at two Hillston homes where they arrested four Indian men and an Indian woman as well as a Pakistani man.

On Wednesday night officers raided six Griffith homes where they interviewed about 50 people and made six arrests – three men and three women, all from India.

A Department of Immigration spokeswoman told The Daily Advertiser four married couples were among those arrested.

They are all currently being held at Villawood Detention Centre in Sydney where they are awaiting deportation.

“They will be deported as soon as possible. How long exactly until that happens, I can’t say,” the spokeswoman said.

Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Chris Evans said this week’s operation uncovered evidence of worker exploitation and migrant agent fraud.

Migration agents are paid by people who want to come to Australia to help them fill in paperwork and assist with visa applications.

“Immigration officers obtained crucial information that will help further its investigation into the source of illegal labour in the region. It is the responsibility of employers to ensure they only employ people with the right to work in Australia and severe penalties can apply to people who hire workers without valid visas,” Mr Evans said.

The 12 people facing deportation were all working on farms in the region.

Employers convicted of using illegal labour face fines of up to $13,200 and two year’s jail.

The penalty for companies is up to $66,000 per illegal worker.