By The SUN
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| Some of the suspects were arrested in the airport cargo terminal |
A series of raids staged this week by Immigration and police officers led to the arrest of 19 suspected illegal workers and seven people believed to have hired them.
The 26 offenders were caught in 94 locations targeted by the raiding teams in operations codenamed “Twilight” and “Champion” from Jun 7 to 10, the Immigration Department said in a press release. The nationalities of those arrested was not disclosed.
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In Operation “Twilight,” Immigration officers raided 39 locations including a car park, factories, garbage collection depots, a massage parlor, premises under renovation, retail shops, residential buildings, restaurants and a warehouse.
Eight suspected illegal workers comprising two men and six women aged 41 to 59, and four suspected employers were arrested.
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| Pindutin para sa detalye |
Two of the men were holding recognizance forms, which prohibit them from taking any jobs. Three of the women were suspected of using and having forged HK ID cards. Their suspected employers, two men and two women aged 53 to 60, were also arrested.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
Operation “Champion” raids held jointly with the police targeted 55 locations at the Hong Kong International Airport cargo terminal, Kwai Chung, Tsing Yi and Tsuen Wan, including a car park, industrial buildings, loading/unloading platforms, offices, restaurants, warehouses and a wet market.
Ten suspected illegal workers, all men, aged 26 to 48 were arrested. Nine of them held recognizance forms. Also arrested was a 30-year-old suspected illegal immigrant.
Two men and a woman, aged 38 to 68, were also arrested on suspicion of employing the illegal workers.
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| Officers display some of the items seized from the suspects |
An Immigration statement said anyone who breaches his or her conditions of stay commits an offence. Visitors, recognizance holders or those subject to deportation are also reminded that they are not allowed to work in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, unless permitted by the Director of Immigration.
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“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 statement said.
The penalty is more severe for illegal immigrants or people who are subject to removal or deportation found doing illegal work. The prescribed maximum penalty is a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for three years. However, a guideline ruling from the Court of Appeal says 15-month imprisonment should be applied in al these case.
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For those found using or possessing a forged
Suspected employers of illegal workers, on the other hand, face up to three years in jail and a maximum fine of $350,000.
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| PADALA NA! |
