PUBLIC ORDER
Detection of Forged Travel Documents
During the year, a total of 1 637 forged travel documents were detected, representing an increase of 38.38 per cent, compared with 1 183 in 1989.
Sustained efforts are required to guard against the upsurge in the use of forged travel documents by illegal immigrants and travellers. Intelligence on forgery is collected and quickly disseminated. Frequent contacts are made with other local and overseas law enforcement agencies and consulates, and special operations are mounted against forgery syndicates.
In one of the biggest joint operations mounted with the Royal Hong Kong Police and United States and Canadian law enforcement agencies, a major international syndicate providing forged travel documents to residents of the People's Republic of China seeking illegal entry into Canada and the United States of America was neutralised in August 1990. Over 700 items were seized, including 15 seals and dies for forging travel documents, and a number of persons in Canada and Hong Kong were arrested.
Interception of Wanted Persons
During the year, 73 196 persons were intercepted at immigration control points and immigration and registration of persons offices. Of these, 858 were wanted in connection. with murder cases, 3 455 were suspected robbers, 38 361 were involved in the trafficking of dangerous drugs and 26 328 were involved in other criminal offences. In addition, 104 known or suspected terrorists were identified at points of entry.
Illegal Immigration
Employment opportunities in Hong Kong attract large numbers of illegal immigrants to the territory. The lower wages demanded by these immigrants lure employers to offer them employment. Frequent checks are therefore conducted at target locations, including construction sites, factories, restaurants and other places of employment. Illegal im- migrants arrested at these places are prosecuted and sentenced to imprisonment before they are repatriated to their place of origin. Employers of illegal immigrants are also prosecuted and fined and, in serious cases, custodial sentences are imposed. To cope with the increase in the number of illegal immigrants found working on construction sites, the Immigration Ordinance was amended during the year to make a principal contractor in the construction industry responsible for the presence of illegal immigrants on his site of operation and liable to substantial fines.
In 1990, a total of 30 378 illegal immigrants were apprehended and repatriated. This represents an increase of 72.49 per cent compared with 17 611 in 1989.
Investigation and Prosecution of Immigration Offences
During the year, a total of 5 511 charges were laid against persons who had committed various immigration offences. Apart from illegal immigration, these offences included illegal remaining, breach of condition of stay, making false statements or representations, and conspiracy in the use and supply of forged documents.
Deportation and Removal
The Immigration Department is responsible for the application, issue and execution of deportation and removal orders. During the year, 5 074 persons who were convicted of
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