*************************************
The Immigration Department and the Hong Kong Police Force jointly mounted a series of anti-illegal employment operations codenamed "Windsand" on October 28 and 29 in the New Territories North Region.
During the operations, 11 Mainland visitors comprising six men and five women aged from 17 to 57 were arrested for breaching their conditions of stay by being involved in suspected parallel goods trading at Lok Ma Chau Road in Lok Ma Chau, Po Shek Wu Road, San Wan Road and Shek Wu Hui Jockey Club Playground in Sheung Shui. The goods included milk powder, diapers, foods and red wine.
Since September 2012, a number of "Windsand" operations have been conducted, during which a total of 999 Mainlanders and 12 Hong Kong residents were arrested for suspected involvement in parallel goods trading. Of these, 123 Mainlanders were prosecuted for breach of conditions of stay, while the remaining 876 people were repatriated. Among those prosecuted, 113 out of 123 were sentenced to imprisonment for four weeks to two months, two were pending court hearing, and charges were withdrawn for another eight people.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/Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:36
NNNN
