Increase in human cargo

THE ''rampant growth'' of international smuggling syndicates has been blamed for the increase in the number of illegal immigrants from the mainland.

The Hongkong China News Agency (HKCNA) yesterday published an article on syndicates as 500 illegal immigrants found last month on the East Wood ended their ill-fated journey after being sent back to Xiamen.

The returned group was said to have been driven to Fuzhou, seven hours' drive from Xiamen.

An official of the Fuzhou authorities declined to give details on the repatriation.

But he said the operation had been conducted ''smoothly'' and that the illegal immigrants had been peaceful.

The official said most of them were allowed to go home. No other details were given.

The HKCNA said in a report yesterday that the number of Chinese travelling illegally to other countries had increased in recent years.

It called for severe measures against the activities of the ''snake-heads'' who were active in the coastal Guangdong and Fujian areas.

The masses should be educated and given assistance in jobs and living, said the agency.

The ''snake-heads'' conned illegal immigrants that they would be offered jobs and residency after they arrived in their new countries.

The news agency said that the number of illegal immigrants to Western countries, particularly the United States and Australia, had risen remarkably in the past year.

Countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Singapore have also reportedly intercepted hundreds of illegal immigrants from China.

''Some international smuggling syndicates have controlled many of these illegal immigration activities,'' the news agency claimed.

Each illegal immigrant has been charged as much as US$30,000 (HK$232,000) to US$50,000.

They have to pay between 30 per cent and 50 per cent before leaving China, and the remainder on arrival at their destination.