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The Immigration Department and the Hong Kong Police Force yesterday (September 12) jointly mounted an anti-illegal employment operation codenamed "Windsand" in Sheung Shui district.
During the operation, 18 Mainland visitors comprising six men and 12 women aged from 29 to 66 were arrested for breaching their conditions of stay by being involved in suspected parallel goods trading at Po Wan Road, Choi Yuen Road, Ka Fu Close and Shek Wu Hui Playground in Sheung Shui. The goods involved milk powder, diapers, nutritional supplements, cosmetics, red wine and daily necessities.
Since September 2012, a number of "Windsand" operations have been conducted, during which a total of 932 Mainlanders and 10 Hong Kong residents were arrested for suspected involvement in parallel goods trading. Of these, 110 Mainlanders were prosecuted for breach of conditions of stay, while the remaining 822 people were repatriated. Among those prosecuted, 102 out of 110 were sentenced to imprisonment for four weeks to two months, and charges were withdrawn for another eight people.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, September 13, 2013
Issued at HKT 14:53
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