Three-years-and-nine-months' jail for human smuggling ring leader
2001-11-19
A mastermind of a human smuggling syndicate was jailed for three years and nine months at District Court today (Monday) for supplying forged travel documents to facilitate illegal entry of Mainland residents into other countries.
Yu Wai-hung, 43, unemployed, was today found guilty of possessing an unlawfully obtained passport, three forged passports, and an identity card relating to another person.
Yu's associate Lau Kwok-tong, 44, second-hand mobile phone peddler, was convicted on one count of conspiring to transfer travel documents to others without reasonable excuse. He was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment.
In sentencing, Judge Peter Line said these were very serious offences which warranted heavy custodial sentences to bring about a deterrent effect.
Six other members of the syndicate and two Mainland residents were earlier charged in relation to the investigation, following a referral from the Consulate of the United States which initially suspected that some airport staff might be involved in corrup tion and assisting human smuggling activities.
ICAC investigation revealed no evidence showing corrupt involvement of airport staff.
Two of the syndicate members and a Mainland resident are awaiting sentence after they pleaded guilty earlier.
The remaining five syndicate members will face trial this Friday (November 23).
The court heard that the syndicate provided forged US passports to some Mainland residents who first entered Hong Kong on People's Republic of China passports. After the Mainlanders checked in for a flight for Kuala Lumpur, the syndicate arranged to have their boarding passes swapped for a flight to Chicago.
Yu and Lau were arrested by the ICAC in a Yau Ma Tei restaurant in June this year, after other associates handed them a HKSAR passport in the name of another person.
During a search at Yu's residence, ICAC officers also seized one People's Republic of China passport and two Taiwan passports, and a Hong Kong Identity Card in the name of another person. The passports were later confirmed to be forged.
When interviewed under caution, Lau admitted that Yu had asked him to provide HKSAR passports for a reward of $2,500 each.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Johnny Chan, assisted by ICAC officer Diman Mak.
Yu Wai-hung, 43, unemployed, was today found guilty of possessing an unlawfully obtained passport, three forged passports, and an identity card relating to another person.
Yu's associate Lau Kwok-tong, 44, second-hand mobile phone peddler, was convicted on one count of conspiring to transfer travel documents to others without reasonable excuse. He was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment.
In sentencing, Judge Peter Line said these were very serious offences which warranted heavy custodial sentences to bring about a deterrent effect.
Six other members of the syndicate and two Mainland residents were earlier charged in relation to the investigation, following a referral from the Consulate of the United States which initially suspected that some airport staff might be involved in corrup tion and assisting human smuggling activities.
ICAC investigation revealed no evidence showing corrupt involvement of airport staff.
Two of the syndicate members and a Mainland resident are awaiting sentence after they pleaded guilty earlier.
The remaining five syndicate members will face trial this Friday (November 23).
The court heard that the syndicate provided forged US passports to some Mainland residents who first entered Hong Kong on People's Republic of China passports. After the Mainlanders checked in for a flight for Kuala Lumpur, the syndicate arranged to have their boarding passes swapped for a flight to Chicago.
Yu and Lau were arrested by the ICAC in a Yau Ma Tei restaurant in June this year, after other associates handed them a HKSAR passport in the name of another person.
During a search at Yu's residence, ICAC officers also seized one People's Republic of China passport and two Taiwan passports, and a Hong Kong Identity Card in the name of another person. The passports were later confirmed to be forged.
When interviewed under caution, Lau admitted that Yu had asked him to provide HKSAR passports for a reward of $2,500 each.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Johnny Chan, assisted by ICAC officer Diman Mak.