Fifty-one arrested during anti-illegal employment operation "Windsand"
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     The Immigration Department and the Hong Kong Police Force today (January 10) jointly mounted an anti-illegal employment operation codenamed "Windsand" in Sheung Shui, mobilising 63 immigration officers and 51 police officers. A total of 51 suspected immigration offenders were arrested. During the first-phase operation, officers raided the black spots for parallel goods trading in Sheung Shui district, including Po Shek Wu Road, San Wan Road, Choi Yuen Road, Choi Fat Street and Choi Fai Street. Nineteen Mainland visitors, 10 male and nine female, aged between 19 and 55, were arrested for breaching their conditions of stay by being involved in suspected parallel goods trading. Officers also seized large amounts of snacks, diapers and milk powder during the operation.

     During the second-phase operation, 32 Mainland visitors, 19 male and 13 female, aged between 21 and 56, were arrested for breaching their conditions of stay by being involved in suspected parallel goods trading in Advanced Technology Centre and Cambridge Plaza in Sheung Shui. Officers also seized large amounts of tea leaves, diapers and milk powder during the operation.

     All the arrestees were detained for questioning. The operation is still in progress.

     Since September 2012, a number of "Windsand" operations have been conducted by the department. A total of 511 Mainlanders and 10 Hong Kong residents were arrested for suspected involvement in parallel goods trading. Ninety Mainlanders were prosecuted for breach of conditions of stay, while the remaining 421 people were repatriated. Among those prosecuted, 82 out of 90 were sentenced to imprisonment for four weeks to two months. Court hearing is still pending for one person, and charges were withdrawn for another seven.

     "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 actions with related law enforcement departments against the offences concerned," an Immigration Department spokesman said.

Ends/Thursday, January 10, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:58

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