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The Immigration Department and the Hong Kong Police Force yesterday (May 27) jointly mounted an anti-illegal employment operation codenamed "Windsand" in Sheung Shui district. During the operation, 29 Mainland visitors comprising five men and 24 women aged 23 to 67 were arrested for breaching their conditions of stay by being involved in suspected parallel goods trading at San Wan Road, Choi Yuen Road, the Advanced Technology Centre and Cambridge Plaza. The goods involved milk powder, foods, cosmetics and daily necessities.
Since September 2012, a number of Windsand operations have been conducted, during which a total of 1 258 Mainlanders and 14 Hong Kong residents were arrested for suspected involvement in parallel goods trading. Of these, 192 Mainlanders were prosecuted for breach of conditions of stay and six are under investigation, while the remaining 1 060 people were repatriated. Among those prosecuted, 184 out of 192 were sentenced to imprisonment for four weeks to three months, and charges were withdrawn for another eight people.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/Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:05
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