The Macau Customs Service said in a statement yesterday that it arrested seven suspects on Thursday for their alleged involvement in parallel trading and seized over 12,000 goods worth around 3.5 million patacas.
According to the statement, in order to prevent the novel coronavirus entering Macau, the Customs Service has been clamping down on parallel trading. The statement noted that customs officers cooperated with their colleagues from the Public Security Police (PSP) and found a large number of cosmetic and beauty products at a commercial building in the northern district.
The statement noted that there is strong evidence showing that the shop employed illegal workers, using the “ant moving home” strategy, i.e., moving items in small quantities from Guangdong to Macau. The statement noted that there was a total of 12,624 cosmetic and beauty items, pointing out that the officers confirmed the products did not carry any COVID-19 after having them tested.
The statement said that the according to the External Trade Law, two people in charge of the shop and five parallel traders were arrested, stressing that they could face a fine up to 50,000 patacas. The statement pointed out that one of the parallel traders lied about his identity because of which he has been transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP), while the five parallel traders breached the law on non-resident workers, so their cases have been transferred to the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) for follow up.
The Macau Customs Service urged residents not to engage in parallel trading and asked residents to report any suspicious activities by calling 2896 5001.
This undated handout photo provided by the Macau Customs Office yesterday shows the confiscated cosmetic and beauty products worth about 3.5 million patacas.
