Kowloon East Region, comprising the Tactical Unit, Wong Tai Sin District, Sau Mau Ping District, Kwun Tong District and Tseung Kwan O District, together with the Immigration Department and the Labour Department, today (25 December) launched a joint anti-illegal labour operation codenamed "CHAMPION", raiding a number of crime black spots in Kowloon East, arresting a total of 33 people and seizing 2 iron pens, a germanium knife, a screwdriver, a torch, a pair of gloves, etc.

The arrested persons included 12 Mainland men, 3 Mainland women, 4 non-Chinese men and 13 non-Chinese women, aged between 24 and 79, who were arrested on suspicion of "employing illegal workers", "remaining in Hong Kong without the authorisation of the Director of Immigration", "accepting employment in Hong Kong without authorization", "violating the conditions of stay", "overstaying", "failing to produce valid identity documents" and "preparing stolen articles when going out". Among them, a 51-year-old Mainland man and a 39-year-old non-Chinese woman, are also wanted. Everyone is being detained.

In addition, the police later arrested a foreign woman, suspecting that she was related to the case.

Police remind that under section 115AA of the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 38), illegal immigrants, persons subject to removal orders or deportation orders, overstayers or refusal of entry are not allowed to accept paid or unpaid employment, start or engage in any business. On conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of $5,3 and imprisonment for 50 years. The maximum penalty for an employer who employs a person who cannot be lawfully employed and is an illegal immigrant, a person subject to a deportation or deportation order, an overstayed or refused entry is a fine of $10,<> and imprisonment for <> years.