Cunard ship Queen Mary 2 used to smuggle illegal immigrants

Nine Chinese immigrants smuggled into the USA by a Malaysian man

Five women and four men from China were taken into federal custody last month after the Cunard flag ship vessel pulled into Red Hook, New York

According to reports the Malaysian man, Fatt Kwee Wong was paid $3,000 per person to bring the illegal immigrants into the country onboard the ocean liner. Wong carried a Japanese passport and aroused suspicion at the immigration check point as he could not tell officials the names of his nine companions.

After authorities investigated further a fingerprint check showed Wong was in fact wanted for smuggling aliens into Bermuda. Wong who speaks Mandarin claims he was working as a welder in Malaysia. He was held without bail

The Chinese passengers boarded the Queen Mary 2 in Dubai and were sailing onboard as ordinary passengers according to the New York Daily News. Their names appeared on the ship’s manifest and they had full access to all onboard amenities.

It is believed to be the first case of its kind according to reports from U.S. Customs and Border protection