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The Immigration Department and the Hong Kong Police Force today (July 27) jointly mounted an anti-illegal employment operation codenamed "Windsand" in the Sheung Shui District.
During the operation, 15 Mainland visitors comprising four men and 11 women aged from 26 to 55 were arrested for breaching their conditions of stay by being involved in suspected parallel goods trading at Po Shek Wu Road, San Wan Road and Ka Fu Close in Sheung Shui. Officers also seized milk powder, diapers, foods, red wine and cosmetics 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, during which a total of 827 Mainlanders and 10 Hong Kong residents were arrested for suspected involvement in parallel goods trading. Of these, 106 Mainlanders were prosecuted for breach of conditions of stay, while the remaining 721 people were repatriated. Among those prosecuted, 98 out of 106 were sentenced to imprisonment for four weeks to two months, and charges were withdrawn for another eight people.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/Saturday, July 27, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:36
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