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The Immigration Department and the Hong Kong Police Force yesterday (November 28) jointly mounted an anti-illegal employment operation codenamed "Windsand", mobilising 31 immigration officers and 63 police officers. During the operation, officers raided six black spots for parallel goods trading in Sheung Shui and Fanling districts, including areas outside the Advanced Technology Centre and Cambridge Plaza, Pak Wo Road, Po Shek Wu Road, San Wan Road and Choi Yuen Road. During the operation, three male and two female Mainland visitors, aged 25 to 53, were arrested for breaching their conditions of stay by being involved in suspected parallel goods trading. Officers also seized a batch of milk powder, large amounts of electronic products, health food products, cosmetics and daily necessities during the operation.
All the illegal workers were detained for questioning.
"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. The Immigration Department will continue to take effective enforcement actions with related law enforcement departments against the offences concerned," an Immigration Department spokesman said.
Ends/Thursday, November 29, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:01
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