*******************************************************
The Immigration Department and the Hong Kong Police Force yesterday (November 15) jointly mounted an anti-illegal employment operation codenamed "Windsand". During the operation, officers raided seven black spots for parallel goods trading in Sheung Shui and Fanling districts, including areas in the vicinity of the Advanced Technology Centre, San Wan Road, Choi Yuen Road, Lung Sum Lane, Yan Shing Lane, Pak Wo Road and the vicinity of Sheung Shui MTR Station. During the operation, one male and three female Mainland visitors, aged from 25 to 47, were arrested for breaching their conditions of stay by being involved in suspected parallel goods trading. Officers also seized large amounts of electronic products, home appliances and nutritious food during the operation.
Furthermore, in the course of the operation, enforcement officers discovered that a Hong Kong resident had stored some goods in a lorry. He was then found distributing those goods to a Mainland visitor. The man, aged 43, was arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting Mainland visitors engaged in parallel trading activities.
All the illegal workers were detained for questioning.
"Visitors are not allowed to take up employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. The Immigration Department will continue to take effective enforcement actions with related law enforcement departments against concerned offences. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalty," an Immigration Department spokesman said.
Ends/Friday, November 16, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:31
NNNN
