A Macau Customs Service statement said yesterday that, in a joint operation with the Judiciary Police (PJ), it detained nine people and seized goods worth 1.3 million patacas on Wednesday.
The statement said that due to the recent Delta variant family cluster case, it has strengthened its strategy to better clamp down on parallel traders (水貨客). The statement added that it received a tipoff about a gathering spot for parallel traders in the northern district. The statement noted that it confiscated health supplements, medicines and cosmetic products totalling more than 13,000 items worth about 1.3 million patacas.
According to the statement, evidence showed that the person in charge hired illegal workers and used the so-called “ant moving home” strategy – moving items in small quantities from Guangdong to Macau – in order to avoid the custom officers’ suspicions.
The statement noted that based on the External Trade Law, the Customs Service arrested a person who was in charge of the shop, a person who was responsible for the products, an employee and six parallel traders, adding that they could face a fine of up to 100,000 patacas each.
Meanwhile, the Judiciary Police discovered that the person who was in charge of the shop breached regulations on the hiring of non-resident workers, and the case has been transferred to the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) to follow up. Moreover, the shop was not licenced, therefore the case has also been transferred to the Financial Services Bureau (DSF).
The statement pointed out that since the stabilisation of the COVID-19 situation in Macau and Zhuhai, people are allowed to cross the border more easily. The bureau urged residents and non-resident workers (NRWs) not to engage in parallel trading activities to earn extra money as the Customs Service continues to strictly monitor parallel traders. The statement also said that if anyone wants to report illegal activities, one can call 2896 5001 or email info@customs.gov.mo to the Macau Customs Service.
This photo provided by the Macau Customs Service yesterday shows the contraband worth 1.3 million patacas, seized from parallel traders.
