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The Immigration Department and the Hong Kong Police Force yesterday (October 15) jointly mounted an anti-illegal employment operation codenamed "Windsand" in New Teritories North District.
During the operation, 12 Mainland visitors comprising three men and nine women aged from 33 to 59 were arrested for breaching their conditions of stay by being involved in suspected parallel goods trading at Lok Ma Chau Road in Lok Ma Chau. The goods involved milk powder, cosmetics, red wine, nutritional supplements and daily necessities.
Since September 2012, a number of "Windsand" operations have been conducted, during which a total of 977 Mainlanders and 11 Hong Kong residents were arrested for suspected involvement in parallel goods trading. Of these, 118 Mainlanders were prosecuted for breach of conditions of stay, while the remaining 859 people were repatriated. Among those prosecuted, 108 out of 118 were sentenced to imprisonment for four weeks to two months. A court hearing is still pending for two persons, and charges were withdrawn for the other eight people.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, October 16, 2013
Issued at HKT 14:43
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