Two Mainland transit passengers were charged with using false instruments and were each sentenced to 11 months' imprisonment by Shatin Magistrates' Courts on October 8.
The two defendants, male Mainlanders aged 37 and 41, were intercepted by Immigration Department investigators on July 13 during a surprise operation to inspect passengers in a Hong Kong International Airport restricted area. As there were doubts about the Mexican visit visas they were holding, a further investigation on them was conducted.
The subsequent investigation revealed that the defendants arrived in Hong Kong International Airport via the sea-to-air transfer ferry service from Shenzhen Shekou Port on July 13, with the intention to connect with a flight for Mexico via the Netherlands on the same day. They admitted to having procured the questioned Mexican visit visas from a middleman at the cost of RMB6,000 to RMB10,000 to facilitate their trip to Mexico. After an examination, their Mexican visit visas in hand were verified to be forged. The defendants pleaded guilty to the charge of using false instruments at Shatin Magistrates' Courts on October 8 and were each sentenced to 11 months' imprisonment.
The spokesman warned that, under the laws of Hong Kong, it is an offence to make, possess or use false instruments. Upon conviction, offenders are liable to a maximum penalty of 14 years' imprisonment.
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