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14 ‘stowaways’ nabbed in human smuggling scheme
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Posted on Dec 07 2005
Local and federal authorities believe they have busted another human smuggling case after they intercepted yesterday a boat loaded with 14 “stowaway” Chinese who were bound to the U.S. Territory of Guam.
The Saipan Tribune gathered that the U.S. Coast Guard personnel spotted the 21-footer boat 11 miles outside Rota after local immigration alerted them upon receiving tips about the human smuggling.
The 14 were escorted back to the seaport of Tanapag Harbor where Immigration agents placed them under arrest. They were then brought to the Superior Court yesterday afternoon for deportation proceedings.
Arrested were Gu Shengyan, Yang Yugen, Hua Lirong, Xu Wangzheng, Huang Jinjin, Cai Nansheng, Liu Yueqi, Huang Fuyi, Qian Haiying, Xiao Shuizhen, Wei Hang, He Wenye, Xiao Ruiming, and Xu Shuiying.
It was not clear yet who owns the boat.
Immigration and Labor records show that the respondents used to work on Saipan as farmers, managers, garment workers, carpenters, and physical therapists. Most of them have expired work permits.
Immigration officials stated in court papers that the respondents attempted entry into Guam from the CNMI without clearance from the CNMI Immigration.
Associate Judge David A. Wiseman granted the government’s recommendation to impose $10,000 cash bail on each respondent. The judge ordered the respondents to appear in court on Dec. 15 to show cause why they should not be deported from the CNMI.
Wiseman also expressed concern as to why the respondents have been detained at the Department of Corrections considering that deportation cases are not criminal matter.
Immigration told the court that federal authorities are expected to file criminal charges against the respondents.
Some of the respondents were barefooted when they were transported by Corrections officers to the court.
Local and federal agents intercepted many boats loaded with Chinese workers coming from Saipan in human smuggling schemes to Guam over the past few years. Most of these attempts were perpetrated by a China-based Snakehead syndicate that has been engaging in human smuggling racket to the U.S.
