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Immigration Department investigators today (October 22) arrested nine suspected illegal workers in an operation codenamed "Twilight".
In the operation conducted by Immigration investigators, nine Mainlanders were apprehended for working as renovation workers at Kwun Fung Street, Siu Lam.
Immigration officers raided a three-storey villa including a garden and a swimming pool which were under renovation. Nine suspected illegal workers from the Mainland were found hiding inside a covert dwelling place under the swimming pool.
The nine Mainlanders were arrested, suspected of breaching conditions of stay and remaining in Hong Kong illegally. The person-in-charge of the villa and the workers' contractual employer are being located for enquiries.
"Visitors are not allowed to take up employment, whether paid or unpaid, without the prior permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for two years. 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. Any person who, having landed in Hong Kong unlawfully, remains in Hong Kong without the authority of the Director of Immigration, is liable to a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for three years," the spokesman said.
Ends/Thursday, October 22, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:35
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