Federal authorities have extradited a man believed to be responsible for the smuggling of a large number of Chinese nationals to the Virgin Islands in recent months. U.S. Marshals returned Hak-So Chan to the Virgin Islands from Hong Kong last week to face charges of alien smuggling and conspiracy to smuggle illegal aliens to the U.S. mainland and the Virgin Islands.
According to Linda Vallerino at the U.S. Marshal's office, "Chan's extradition from Hong Kong is historic as it represents the first Chinese national to be extradited under a 1999 treaty between Hong Kong and the United States." Vallerino said federal marshals from St. Thomas traveled to Hong Kong to order the surrender of the alleged alien smuggling kingpin.
Vallerino also said Monday that Chan will face charges of falsifying documents and passports. She did not say where Chan is being held pending trial.
More that 430 Chinese nationals have illegally entered the territory so far this year, about 100 more than reported in all of 1999.
The apprehension of Hak-so Chan is reported to be part of an ongoing investigation. The U.S. Attorney's Office has not commented on the investigation or on the extradition of Chan from Hong Kong to the territory.
