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The Immigration Department and the Hong Kong Police Force yesterday (November 20) jointly mounted an anti-illegal employment operation codenamed "Windsand". During the operation, officers raided seven black spots for parallel goods trading in Sheung Shui and Fanling districts, including areas near the Advanced Technology Centre, Cambridge Plaza and in the vicinity of Tai Tau Leng Village, Po Shek Wu Road Sitting-out Area and in the vicinity of Sheung Shui and Fanling MTR stations. During the operation, five male and six female Mainland visitors aged from 24 to 48 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, nutritious food and daily necessities during the operation.
Furthermore, in the course of the operation, a Hong Kong resident, aged 30, was arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting Mainland visitors for breaching their conditions of stay by taking up parallel trading activities.
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 enforcement actions with related law enforcement departments against the offences concerned. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties," an Immigration Department spokesman said.
Ends/Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:15
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