*******************************************
Two illegal immigrants were today (October 24) each jailed for 15 months after pleading guilty to unlawfully staying in Hong Kong.
Pakistanis Mehmood Arshad, 31, and Gulzar Ahmad, 44, appeared at the Sha Tin Magistracy charged with remaining in Hong Kong without the authority of the Director of Immigration after having landed unlawfully. During an anti-illegal worker operation, codenamed "Twilight", on October 17 Immigration investigation officers raided a barber shop in Battery Street, Yau Ma Tei, where the two defendants were found working as a hairdresser and salesman. Asked to show proof of identity, the defendants were unable to produce identification papers. Both men later admitted to illegally entering Hong Kong - one in August this year and the other in June last year.
"The Immigration Department is committed to combating any illegal entry to Hong Kong. Any person who, having landed in Hong Kong unlawfully, remains in Hong Kong without the authority of the director, is liable to a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for three years. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalty," an Immigration spokesman said.
"It is also an offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. The maximum penalty is a fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years," the spokesman said.
Ends/Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:28
NNNN
