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CONFIDENTIAL
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7. Hong Kong's headache is the illegal immigrant using Macau as a stepping-stone to Hong Kong (Macau itself does not offer the same attractions). The route is often operated through syndicates, the so-called 'spakeheads', using motorised junks. Hong Kong Marine Police have encountered isolated cases of armed resistance from such vessels before their arrest or escape. However, recent reports indicate that most illegal immigrant boats setting out from the west bank of the Pearl River originate in China rather than Hong Kong Macau.
9 January 1980
PI Webb
Hong Kong and General Department
J.E. A artill
.E.CO
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CONFIDENTIAL