KEY POINTS:
Three Indonesian ship-jumpers have been arrested working illegally in Marlborough vineyards after a tip-off to immigration authorities.
Blenheim police and Labour Department immigration officers arrested the three men at a Renwick house last night.
Police said two were found hiding in the house and another attempted to flee but was caught by a police dog and handler.
"The three men were identified as being unlawfully in New Zealand," Labour Department immigration manager Steve May said today.
They were being interviewed to find out if there were any humanitarian reasons why they should not be returned to Indonesia.
Mr May said the men were being held at the Blenheim police station, but would be moved to Christchurch "pending their removal to Indonesia".
"This is part of ongoing work to clamp down on unlawful workers in the horticulture and viticulture industries," he said.
Nine illegal immigrants - Czechs, Brazilians and Tongans - working in the Marlborough vineyards were arrested in February and held for deportation.
- NZPA
