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The Immigration Department, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Customs and Excise Department yesterday (July 18) jointly mounted an anti-illegal employment operation codenamed "Windsand" in the New Territories North District.
During the operation, nine Mainland visitors comprising four men and five women aged from 34 to 51 were arrested for breaching their conditions of stay by being involved in suspected parallel goods trading in the vicinity of Pun Uk Tsuen in Lok Ma Chau. The goods involved milk powder, diapers, red wine and cosmetics.
Since September 2012, a number of "Windsand" operations have been conducted, during which a total of 827 Mainlanders and 10 Hong Kong residents were arrested for suspected involvement in parallel goods trading. Of these, 105 Mainlanders were prosecuted for breach of conditions of stay and one is under investigation, while the remaining 721 people were repatriated. Among those prosecuted, 97 out of 105 were sentenced to imprisonment for four weeks to two months, and charges were withdrawn for another eight people.
"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 action with related law enforcement departments against the offences concerned," an Immigration Department spokesman said.
Ends/Friday, July 19, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:29
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