Ten people have been arrested after a multi-agency operation focused on immigration.

Gardaí attached to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) conducted two separate operations in conjunction with the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the Department of Social Protection.

These were carried out January 30th and February 11th.

The first search took place at the warehouse of an Asian food products supplier, and a number of attached offices, in a business park in west Dublin.

It was established that this company was suspected of employing people who did not have permits to work.

Meanwhile a number of people, who were subject to deportation orders, were being employed at this business.

A total of six people were arrested.

Three were detained on foot of live deportation orders, while three others were arrested for having no legal status to be in the State.

They appeared before Blanchardstown District Court on Friday January 31st, where they were remanded until March 13th.

During the same search, Department of Social Protection officers suspended a number of payments - including Disability Allowance, Rent Supplement and Child Benefit - with estimated potential savings of €100,000.

The WRC are continuing to investigate.

The second search operation saw a search of the offices and warehouse of a meat processing company in Co Meath.

The company was employing people who did not have permits to work - a total of 19 people were discovered in contravention of either immigration or permit legislation.

Four people were arrested and charged under immigration legislation.

They were subsequently bailed to appear in different courts on February 19th and 27th.

A fifth person claimed asylum.

While an additional 11 people were found not having any current immigration status in the State.

They will be deported in accordance with legislation.

A further three non-EU nationals were also interviewed, due to possible discrepancies in relation to work permits.