ELEVEN people suspected of trying to bring 23 people from South Asia illegally across the border into Hong Kong were arrested recently, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported yesterday.

    The 23 illegal immigrants from South Asian countries were also caught in the cross-border operation that lasted months.

    In mid-July this year, a tip led Shenzhen police to a cross-border criminal ring that was transporting people into Hong Kong illegally via ferry from a pier in Bao’an District. Each of the people from South Asian countries was charged by the snakeheads between US$2,000 and US$4,000, the Daily report said.

    After exchanging intelligence, Shenzhen and Hong Kong police arrested 10 suspects and 23 South Asian people in Tuen Mun, Hong Kong, as well as in Xixiang and Futian in Shenzhen in September.

    The illegal immigrants arrived in Guangzhou in mid-July as arranged by the snakeheads before being transported to Shenzhen, from where they were supposed to be taken illegally by boat to Hong Kong, the Daily quoted police in the operation as saying.

    The report didn’t elaborate on how the illegal immigrants had entered Guangzhou without being caught.

    The report said the gang was well-organized and very careful. Operations would be called off if something abnormal happened.

    Through cross-border cooperation, Shenzhen and Hong Kong police were able to capture them by following suspects and vehicles. (Zhang Xiaoyi)