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More South Asians have been caught in Hong Kong amid reports that smugglers are circulating rumours about a change of policy towards asylum seekers. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Several people-smuggling rackets operate in Hong Kong to bring South Asians to the city, police say

Illegal immigrants are shipped from Shenzhen to Hong Kong, where they are often given work as cleaners or delivery workers

Intelligence indicates that several people-smuggling rackets are operating in Hong Kong to smuggle South Asians claiming to be asylum seekers into the city, according to police.

Officers are investigating whether the syndicates are linked to the rising number of arrests of illegal immigrants from South Asian countries such as Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, as well as from Vietnam, since 2011.

READ MORE: Hong Kong authorities mull pre-boarding checks in asylum seekers’ home countries

The number of non-Chinese illegal immigrants intercepted across the city rose sharply to 3,819 last year from 1,984 in 2014. Last year’s figures were the highest since 2010 and most lodged asylum claims when caught, according to police. There were 794 interceptions in 2013, 414 in 2012, 266 in 2011 and 377 in 2010.

Intelligence showed the syndicates spread rumours in their home countries to lure people to the city to find jobs, according to police.

Superintendent Andy Chan Tin-chu of the marine police regional crime unit said rumour-mongers claimed illegal immigrants would be given refugee visas in Hong Kong so they could work legally here.

“Recently, there was a rumour that the Hong Kong government would change the law and no refugee visas would be granted to illegal immigrants, who would be deported immediately,” he said.

READ MORE: Hong Kong could quit torture convention, says CY

Last month, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said the SAR might pull out of a global treaty on torture that allows people to seek sanctuary here. Government officials also said the government would review the current system for dealing with refugee status and asylum to stamp out alleged abuse.

Marine police picked up 149 non-Chinese illegal immigrants at landing black spots in Sai Kung, Sha Tau Kok and Lantau last month. The figure is nearly four times the annual average monthly figure of 30 to 40 in previous months.

Chan said it was possible some learned about an alleged change in the law, so they took a so-called “last train” to sneak into Hong Kong to make money through unlawful employment.

He said police were closely monitoring whether the rising trend would continue.

Police say the people-smuggling syndicates – believed to be headed by South Asians – arranged a one-stop smuggling service to bring people from their home countries to the city via the mainland.

“They have connections with snakeheads in their home countries and on the mainland,” Chan said, adding that some of their members had triad backgrounds. But there was no evidence to suggest the syndicates were controlled by local triads, he said.

READ MORE: Hong Kong’s no-work policy is turning asylum seekers into beggars

He said they even recruited asylum seekers to help pick up new arrivals and take them to hideouts.

Illegal immigrants were normally charged HK$5,000 to HK$50,000 for a journey from their home country to Hong Kong, he said.

“The charge includes air ticket and visa application. After reaching the mainland, snakeheads there arrange transport to Shenzhen and a speedboat trip to Hong Kong,” he said.

Chan said they would be picked up at landing black spots in the city before being taken to a hideout and offered illegal work as cleaning and delivery workers.

He said he thought the poor economy in home countries and illegal job opportunities in Hong Kong were bringing people to the city, and enhanced enforcement action had led to a rise in the number of arrests over the past few years.

Superintendent Alan Lau King-lun, who is in charge of marine police operations, said smugglers kept changing their tactics in smuggling illegal immigrants into Hong Kong to elude arrest.

“Previously, they sneaked into Hong Kong waters at night, but recently we noticed they arrived at daybreak,” he said.

Lau said snakeheads on the mainland currently used twin-engined speedboats. In the past, their speedboats were usually equipped with just one outboard engine.

The rising trend in the arrival of non-Chinese illegal immigrants has prompted the police to strengthen intelligence exchanges and cooperation with overseas counterparts.

The force’s Organised Crime and Triad Bureau has been deployed to track down the masterminds behind people-smuggling syndicates and investigate their assets.

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