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Thirty arrested during anti-illegal employment operation "Windsand"
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     The Immigration Department and the Hong Kong Police Force today (January 16) jointly mounted an anti-illegal employment operation codenamed "Windsand" in Sheung Shui. During the operation, 30 Mainland visitors, 18 male and 12 female, aged between 22 and 63, were arrested for breaching their conditions of stay by being involved in suspected parallel goods trading in Advanced Technology Centre. Officers also seized large amounts of milk powder and daily necessities during the operation.
     
     All the arrestees were detained for questioning. The operation is still in progress.

     Since September 2012, a number of "Windsand" operations were conducted by the department. A total of 563 Mainlanders and 10 Hong Kong residents were arrested for suspected involvement in parallel goods trading. Ninety-seven Mainlanders were prosecuted for breach of conditions of stay, while the remaining 466 people were repatriated. Among those prosecuted, 90 out of 97 were sentenced to imprisonment for four weeks to two months. Charges were withdrawn for another seven.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/Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:31

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