The Macau Customs Service said in a statement its officers picked up three illegal immigrants (IIs) and two snakeheads early yesterday morning on the shore near Sai Van Bridge.
In Cantonese jargon, people smugglers are known as snakeheads.
The statement said that the quintet, all male mainlanders and aged between 32 and 50, were spotted on a boat there. Officers on a speedboat approached them and four of those on board the vessel jumped into the sea. All them were eventually caught.
Typically, snakeheads caught by the authorities will be remanded in custody, while illegal immigrants will be transferred to the Public Security Police (PSP) for deportation.
