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The Immigration Department and the Hong Kong Police Force yesterday (October 10) jointly mounted an anti-illegal employment operation codenamed "Windsand" in Sheung Shui district.
During the operation, 12 Mainland visitors comprising 10 men and two women aged from 22 to 67 were arrested for breaching their conditions of stay by being involved in suspected parallel goods trading at Po Shek Wu Road, Cheuk Wan Street, Ka Fu Close and Shek Wu Hui Jockey Club Playground in Sheung Shui. The goods involved milk powder, diapers, red wine and daily necessities, etc.
Furthermore, in the course of the operation, a Hong Kong resident, aged 42, was arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting Mainland visitors in breaching their conditions of stay by taking up parallel trading activities.
Since September 2012, a number of "Windsand" operations have been conducted, during which a total of 965 Mainlanders and 11 Hong Kong residents were arrested for suspected involvement in parallel goods trading. Of these, 115 Mainlanders were prosecuted for breach of conditions of stay and three are under investigation, while the remaining 847 people were repatriated. Among those prosecuted, 107 out of 115 were sentenced to imprisonment for four weeks to two months, and charges were withdrawn for another eight people.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, October 11, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:36
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