Net widening' against illegal Chinese immigration investigators focusing on local mastermind

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‘Net widening' against illegal Chinese immigration

• investigators focusing on local mastermind

Kaieteur News, 6 July 2007

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee says that the net is widening in
the Chinese illegal immigration scam, with detectives extending their
focus on a number of persons who may be linked to the scheme.

The investigation followed the arrest of 13 Chinese nationals a few
months ago after they failed to produce documents to support their
legal status in Guyana .

Rohee told reporters on Wednesday that the 13 Chinese were deported
three weeks ago.

“They left Guyana about three weeks ago, via Suriname , for Amsterdam
to their final destination of Beijing . But they are out of the
jurisdiction as we presently speak,” Rohee told reporters.

The Minister said that a major local player, who was being sought after
the Chinese were arrested, is still being investigated.

“The net is widening. I know that the CID has extended its reach to
other levels within the local Chinese community. The latest report I
have is that they are still investigating some locals. I'm not free to
disclose those locals as yet because we don't want to compromise the
investigations that are currently taking place,” the Home Affairs
Minister said.

Guyana is seen as a transit point for Chinese nationals fleeing their
homeland for North America and Europe .

However, some Chinese nationals have made this country their home and
have established several businesses, mainly restaurants that permeate
Guyana 's landscape.

• Sources have indicated that the racket involving illegal Chinese
immigrants is a lucrative business.