A Mainland resident, who offered a bribe to an immigration officer at the Hong Kong International Airport while on transit from Fuzhou to New York on false travel documents, were charged by the ICAC and brought to Tsuen Wan Magistracy this (Tuesday) after noon.

Weng Yu-shi, 33, unemployed, pleaded guilty to one count of offering an advantage to a public servant, one of possessing a false People's Republic of China (PRC) passport, and one of possessing false instruments, namely a US Resident Alien Card and a New York State Driver Licence.

Magistrate Mr Kevin Browne adjourned the case to January 6, 2003 for sentence. The defendant was remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.

The court heard that Weng was trying to board a transit flight to New York on Sunday (December 29) night after arriving from Fuzhou, when the airline staff found his travel documents suspicious and handed him over to a Chief Immigration Assistant.

When interviewed under caution by the immigration officer, Weng admitted that the travel documents were forged.

Weng subsequently offered a US$100 banknote to the immigration officer for expediting his deportation to Fuzhou.

The court heard that the immigration officer immediately reported the matter to his supervisor, who referred the case to the ICAC.

Forensics examination by the Government Laboratory found that the PRC passport seized from the defendant was forged.

The US Consulate also confirmed that the US Resident Alien Card and the New York State Driver Licence found on Weng were counterfeit.

The court heard that Weng had bought those documents in Fuzhou at US$5,000, with intent to seek employment in the US.

The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Johnny Cheng.