Guangdong public security authorities have briefed Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) police on the detention of 12 Hong Kong residents suspected of illegal border crossing, Hong Kong police said in a statement on Saturday.

On the morning of August 23, Guangdong Coast Guard intercepted a boat in the waters under its jurisdiction. Aboard the vessel were 12 Hong Kong residents who were detained for unlawfully crossing the border.

Initial investigation revealed that the 12 people were planning to flee to Taiwan through the Chinese mainland waters in order to escape criminal responsibility in Hong Kong. They paid smugglers money to board the speedboat in Hong Kong in order to go to Taiwan in a clandestine manner.

The suspects will remain in custody for further investigation, Hong Kong police said.

The Yantian Branch of the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau is still investigating the case and will report to the Yantian People's Procuratorate in Shenzhen to approve their arrest in accordance with the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China and Criminal Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China.