****************************************************
The Immigration Department and the Hong Kong Police Force jointly mounted an anti-illegal employment operation codenamed "Windsand" on December 27 and 28, mobilising 104 immigration officers and 39 police officers. During the operation, officers raided a number of black spots for parallel goods trading including the Advanced Technology Centre and the vicinity of Po Shek Wu Road. As a result, 35 male and 23 female Mainland visitors, aged between 17 and 64, were arrested for breaching their conditions of stay by being involved in suspected parallel goods trading. Officers also seized cartons of baby products, daily necessities, nutritious foods and cosmetics during the operation.
All the illegal workers were detained for questioning.
From September to December 26 this year, a number of "Windsand" operations were conducted by the department. A total of 413 Mainlanders and eight Hong Kong residents were arrested for suspected involvement in parallel goods trading. Seventy-seven Mainlanders were prosecuted for breach of conditions of stay, while the remaining 336 people were repatriated. Among those prosecuted, 69 out of 77 were sentenced to imprisonment for four weeks to two months. Court hearing is still pending for one person, and charges were withdrawn for another seven.
"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. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties. The Immigration Department will continue to take enforcement actions with related law enforcement departments against the offences concerned," an Immigration Department spokesman said.
Ends/Saturday, December 29, 2012
Issued at HKT 09:57
NNNN
