Venezuelan air crew arrested carrying 14 Chinese illegals to Mexico

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Sunday, May 04, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Mexican immigration officials have arrested a Venezuelan pilot and crew as well as 14 Chinese nationals and  for illegal entry in Cancun. Mexican authorities say they believe they uncovered illegal trafficking of people and confirm that the Chinese were all carrying false tourist papers. 

• The plane landed in Quintana Roo on a chartered flight from Venezuela. 

Mexican officials, who allowed the Chinese through have also been arrested on charges of corruption. Clarifying health risks, Mexican officials have confirmed that none of the Chinese aboard the flight have symptoms of SARS.

Venezuelan authorities say they are concerned about illegal trafficking of Chinese into Venezuela because the majority come from Hong Kong where the SARS outbreak started.

Reports have not indicated whether Mexico was the final destination or the USA.