A Malaysian and a Hong Kong resident have been jailed for possessing forged passports and identity cards.

The Malaysian, Chung Choon-long, 23, pleaded guilty at the District Court to one count each of possession of forged travel documents and identity cards. He was sentenced to 22 months' imprisonment for each charge, with the sentences running concurrently.

In June, Chung arrived Hong Kong from Netherlands via Malaysia and was intercepted by a Customs officer. During a body and luggage search, six Hong Kong, one American and two Mainland passports, plus six Hong Kong identity cards, were found in his travel bag and wallet.

Under caution, the defendant admitted he would receive RMB300 for each passport and identity card he carried plus a free air ticket between the Netherlands and Hong Kong.

Forensic examination showed that all the passports and cards were forged.

Meanwhile, Chu Man-wai, 31, pleaded guilty at Kwun Tong Magistrates Court to one count each of possession of a forged travel document and identity card. He was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment for each charge, running concurrently.

Immigration investigators, acting on information, launched an operation at HK International Airport on July 27. The defendant was spotted collecting two boarding passes relating to other persons from the tour leader. Investigators later found two Hong Kong passports relating to other persons on the defendant.

Upon examination, they were suspected to be forged. Further searches found two suspected forged Hong Kong identity cards in the defendant's backpack.

Forensic checks showed the passports and cards were forgeries.

Any person who possesses a forged travel document commits an offence in Hong Kong. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction, the maximum penalty will be a fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for 14 years.

Anyone who possesses a forged Hong Kong identity card commits an offence. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction, the maximum penalty will be a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for 10 years.