Parallel traders have been using “scattering tactics” to make goods harder to trace by the Macau Customs Service, customs officer Ip Lap Pun told reporters yesterday.
Ip made the remarks last night after inviting the media to witness customs officers arresting five people involved in parallel trading in the northern district.
According to Ip, the “scattering tactics” refers to carrying fewer goods, then scattering the goods at multiple storage areas, and dispatching them quickly. He added that parallel traders used to carry and store large amounts of goods, while only setting up a few standard locations to store them. Ip underlined that with the new tactics, the customs officers have been having a harder time tracing the goods, adding that even when they bust a parallel trading storage area, nowadays it usually only holds small number of smuggled items.
Ip was quick to admit that the new tactics has been challenging for the custom officers to monitor parallel trading activities. He added that the Macau Customs Service will continue to refine its system and intel gathering, adding that it will also patrol the city more frequently.
Ip noted that until last month, the Macau Customs Service had carried out 14 operations so far this year busting parallel trading activities, stressing that they seized around 12.25 million patacas worth of goods.
Meanwhile, during last night’s operation, customs officers arrested a total of five people – two men and three women – at two industrial buildings in the northern district. Ip noted that customs officers seized beauty products and electronic gadgets. He said that two of the parallel traders are holding travel permits to visit relatives in Macau, one of them is a non-resident worker, and the remainder are locals. He underlined that the quintet breached local labour laws and the External Trade Law.
Two customs officers disinfect the goods seized from parallel traders last night.
Photo: Maria Cheang Ut Meng
