13 Illegals Found Hiding In Secret Compartment
Media Release - DPS 76/2002
Thirteen illegal workers, found hiding in a secret compartment at a karaoke bar in central Sydney, have been detained following a compliance operation by officers from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) overnight.
In conjunction with the NSW Police, officers from DIMIA located 13 South Korean women who were in breach of their visa conditions.
The group was found in a compartment, concealed by a fake air conditioning duct, which is believed to be one of several on the premises purpose-built to enable staff to avoid detection by immigration officials.
The women have been transferred to the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre in Sydney.
The group will remain in detention, while arrangements are made for their departure from Australia, as required by law.
In recent weeks, 80 unlawful non-citizens and people breaching visa conditions have been detained in NSW in a targetted crackdown on illegal workers in the construction industry.
In the 2002-03 financial year to 30 August, 897 people including unlawful non-citizens and those in breach of visa conditions have been located in NSW.
In the 2001-02 financial year, Australia-wide, the Department located 17,307 overstayers and people breaching visa conditions.
DIMIA officers make regular visits to workplaces in many parts of Australia, such as restaurants, farms, shops, offices, factories and brothels, in an effort to detect and locate people who are in the country illegally or who are working illegally. DIMIA may also issue warning notices to employers or labour suppliers who are found to have employed illegal workers.
27 September 2002
Media inquiries: Public Affairs (02) 6264 2244