Police helicopter targets illegal immigrants arriving in Hong Kong via speedboat

Police have launched aerial surveillance to crack down on illegal immigrants being smuggled into Hong Kong from mainland China in speedboats.

The deployment of a Government Flying Service helicopter is part of renewed efforts to combat a growing number of illegal immigrants from countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Vietnam.

With marine police having already arrested about 90 illegal immigrants at various landing spots around the city so far this month, the helicopter will be a huge asset, given its ability to cover a large area, according to sources.

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“It can help to identify suspicious boats easily and record their movements clearly,” one source said, refusing to reveal how often the helicopter would be deployed.

In the early hours of Tuesday, marine police intercepted a speedboat, following a brief pursuit, off the coast of Lantau, and arrested a mainland Chinese man, 36, who had allegedly offloaded people at the nearby Tsin Yue Wan waterfront.

A subsequent air and land search saw police arrest seven illegal immigrants in Lantau South Country Park.

“Snakeheads recently took advantage of foggy weather to smuggle illegal immigrants into Hong Kong,” another source said, referring to mainland Chinese gangs known for smuggling people into other countries.