Sister Ping to be extradited to U.S.

HONG KONG China -- Hong Kong has agreed to extradite to the United States an alleged people smuggler known as "Sister Ping."

The woman is accused of sneaking hundreds of Chinese into America illegally between 1984 and 1994.

A spokeswoman at Hong Kong's Department of Justice said on Wednesday that Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa had signed an order for the extradition of Cheng Chui Ping after she lost a court battle to remain in Hong Kong.

Cheng, 52, has been wanted by the United States since she fled the country in 1994 following a botched attempt to smuggle hundreds of Chinese into New York by sea.

U.S. law enforcement authorities allege Cheng was one of the masterminds behind the smuggling of nearly 300 illegal immigrants from China's Fujian province onboard the freighter Golden Venture.

The vessel ran aground off New York in June 1993 and ten people drowned while trying to swim ashore.

The Justice Department spokeswoman declined to say when Cheng would be sent to the United States, where she faces other charges, including a number over hostage taking.

It is alleged she took Chinese illegal immigrants hostage once they arrived in the U.S. until ransoms were paid.

A U.S. arrest warrant for Cheng was issued in December 1994 but police in Hong Kong did not capture her until April 2000.

In August 1993, Hong Kong arrested and turned over to the United States Guo Liangchi, who was later sentenced to 20 years jail and fined US$200,000 for his role in the Golden Venture tragedy.

People smuggling scandals have hit both Europe and the United States. Last year, 58 Chinese were found suffocated in the back of a truck as they were being smuggled to Britain.

In April, a British court jailed the Dutch truck driver for 14 years for his role in the scam.

In May, a Dutch court found seven other men guilty of involvement in the case, jailing them for up to nine years.

Reuters contributed to this report.