A Hong Kong 'snakehead' described as a key financial player behind the Dover tragedy, in which 58 illegal immigrants died while being smuggled into Britain, has been sentenced to four years in prison.
The finding follows a covert investigation by Hong Kong, Australian and British law enforcement agencies, code-named Operation Leafmould, into a $500 million money laundering racket operating out of Hong Kong.
Handing down judgment in the District Court yesterday, Deputy Judge Tong Man said Lam Hei-kit, 29, was a key figure in the smuggling ring which co-ordinated the Dover operation.
'His role was by no means minor,' Judge Tong said.
'This international immigrant smuggling operation was very sizeable by any stretch of the imagination. The operation could not have proceeded without his [Lam's] efforts.'
Judge Tong said evidence showed Lam's brother, Lam Hei-kwong, who is still at large, was the 'prime mover' in the snakehead syndicate.