Vic: Officers swoop on up to 70 alleged illegal immigrants

AAP General News (Australia)
04-11-2001
Vic: Officers swoop on up to 70 alleged illegal immigrants

MELBOURNE, April 11 AAP - Up to 70 suspected illegal immigrants were detained by immigration
officials in Melbourne today.

Officers intercepted them on the city's Eastern Freeway as the group was possibly heading
to work on fruit picking and market gardening lots.

A spokesman for Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock today told AAP details of the interception
were sketchy, but officers were now checking identification and work papers for the group.

He said he had no information on the nationalities or number of people detained, but
Melbourne media reports have estimated between 60 and 70.

Mr Ruddock's spokesman said the workers would be detained "with a view to remove them
from the country" if they did not have appropriate papers, approvals and visas.

He said the last similar operation in Melbourne was on January 21 when nine people
were intercepted and detained.

AAP gfr/ns/brK

KEYWORD: IMMIGRANTS

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