According to the police, Yau Tsim Police District, Kowloon West Regional Mobile Force and Immigration Department officers, based on tips and in-depth investigations, launched the code-named "Champion" (CHAMPION) and "Firestorm" (FIRESTORM) on December 20. The Anti-Illegal Immigrants and Anti-Illegal Workers Operation raided multiple locations in the area.
During the operation, officers arrested 1 local man, 7 mainland women, 1 foreign man and 4 foreign women, aged between 24 and 53. They were suspected of "violating the conditions of stay", "overstaying", "managing prostitution establishments” and breaches of the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulations (Cap. 599F).
One of the arrested 46-year-old foreign men is wanted.
All the arrested persons are being detained for investigation and some of them will be handed over to the Immigration Department for follow-up.
The police stated that according to Section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, Chapter 115 of the Laws of Hong Kong, illegal immigrants, persons subject to removal orders or deportation orders, persons who have overstayed or been refused entry are not allowed to accept paid or unpaid employment Working, establishing or participating in any business, the maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of HK$50,000 and imprisonment for 3 years.
If an employer employs a person who is not legally employable and that person is an illegal immigrant, a person subject to a removal order or deportation order, an overstayer or a person who has been refused entry, the maximum penalty is a fine of HK$500,000 and imprisonment for 10 years year.
Any person who violates the conditions of stay valid for him, upon conviction, is liable to a maximum fine of HK$50,000 and imprisonment for 2 years.