Malaysian trio admit people-smuggling

Three Malaysians pleaded guilty yesterday to various charges under the Immigration Act in New Zealand's first prosecution relating to migrant smuggling.

After four days of depositions in the Blenheim District Court, talks yesterday between Crown and defence lawyers resulted in a number of charges being dropped and guilty pleas for 24 other charges under the act.

Malaysian contractor Heng Lee, 53, pleaded guilty to four charges of aiding, abetting, inciting, counselling, or procuring people to enter New Zealand illegally.

He also pleaded guilty to eight charges of aiding people to breach conditions of their permits. Five charges of threatening to cause grievous bodily harm were withdrawn.

Lee's wife, Koi Hen Chan, 51, pleaded guilty to eight charges of aiding people to breach conditions of their permits, and her daughter-in-law Lay Kheng Chua, 30, admitted four charges of aiding people to enter New Zealand illegally. The three will appear in the Blenheim District Court for pre-sentence reports on Tuesday.

Lee was remanded in custody and the two women remanded on bail.

The court heard from six witnesses who claimed they had been lured to New Zealand by a tempting offer from the trio to work in Marlborough vineyards.

Witnesses said that before they left Malaysia they paid money to "facilitate" their passage through immigration and for work permits.

After working at an Oyster Bay vineyard for seven days, the group of eight decided to leave New Zealand because work permits were not forthcoming.

Immigration investigations officer John Marston said he was pleased a plea had been entered as it would save the expense of a trial.

"Bringing people illegally into New Zealand for the purpose of work will not be tolerated."

- NZPA