Mu Fang, Owner of Mayfield’s Mega Burger, pleads not guilty to people smuggling

Police allege the Birmingham Gardens man was part of a network forcing illegal immigrants to undertake work for a year without income in “debt bondage”.

A Newcastle burger shop owner and Chinese national will head to trial after denying his involvement in a people smuggling ring, which police allege forced illegal immigrants to work under “debt bondage” — a form of slavery.

Mu Fang, the owner of Mega Burgers at Mayfield West which has now been listed as permanently closed, appeared via video link at Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday.

He pleaded not guilty to one charge of people smuggling as a joint commission, while another charge of people smuggling was withdrawn.

The 31-year-old from Birmingham Gardens was arrested mid-last year during raids in the Hunter, following a lengthy investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for his alleged links to an international people smuggling venture over a two month period from December 2019 to January 2020.

Two men were arrested near Newcastle and Cairns for connection with attempted people smuggling venture. Picture: AFP

A man from from Mareeba, near Cairns in Queensland, was also arrested in simultaneous raids.

Police allege the pair were part of a network, where potential illegal immigrants attempting to enter Australia would be told they would have to undertake work for a year without income in “debt bondage”, to repay the criminal syndicate’s costs for their journey.

The men — who were travelling in a remote area of the Northern Territory in January last year for what they said was a camping trip — came under police radar when their vehicle became bogged in floodwaters and they had to send out a distress call.

Mu Fang owned Mega Burgers in Mayfield, which has now been listed as permanently closed. Google street view.

Police allege they were meant to meet six Chinese men being smuggled into Australia by boat, but the luckless mission ended when it was intercepted by Operation Sovereign Borders en-route to Australia.

Investigations led the AFP to believe the men were in the area to act as the “shore party” to meet a potential vessel, believed to be carrying illegal maritime arrivals, and to facilitate their onwards journey in Australia. No such vessel reached the Australian mainland.

In applying for bail last year, the court heard Mr Fang was allegedly found with evidence on his computer of six visa applications for people aboard a vessel headed for Australia.

Fang was arrested mid last year in raids by the AFP. Picture: AFP

The court heard those visa applications were connected with identity information that was found on Mr Fang’s phone and police telephone intercepts showed he was involved in black market labour hire.

He was denied bail on the basis he was a “substantial risk” to flee the jurisdiction and there was potential for witness tampering.

Mr Fang’s matter has been moved to Newcastle’s District Court for trial, adjourned until May 20.