Immigration officers walked out of a Barking bar red in the face after a mistaken search for illegal workers.
Around half a dozen officers were seen entering the Kings Lounge pub in Linton Road shortly around midday on Tuesday.
They left empty-handed less than 15 minutes later, much to the annoyance of staff.
Flanked by officers stood behind the bar and in front of the main entrance, manager Okey Nwosu called the sweep “embarrassing”.
The 45-year-old told the Post a similar search during the Christmas period also failed to root out any evidence of wrongdoing.
A Home Office spokesman confirmed officers conducted the swift “intelligence-led visit” at the premises.
“Officers attended that morning,” he said. “No further action was taken.”
The spokesman declined to comment on the nature of the tip-off.
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