Cargo Ship Sailing To Macau With Illegal Imports Worth Over MOP 2 Million Intercepted

After receiving a tip-off from the Hong Kong authorities, the Customs Service (SA) stopped a cargo ship carrying illegal items worth around MOP2.11 million.

The ship was sailing towards Macau when it was intercepted and its cargo confiscated at the Inner Harbour.

The team found 27,000 cigarettes, 57 kg of tobacco leaves, 39,480 g of cigars, 1,630 boxes of medicine, 23 kg of dried animal placenta, 949 vials of injectable drugs, 15 boxes of cosmetics, 5 pieces of jewellery, 449 used watches and other similar items.

They also discovered a medication called Tenofovir disoproxil, used to treat chronic hepatitis B and to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, and 1,000 vials of Cetrorelix acetate, an injectable hormone used in assisted reproduction.

The name of the company, which was to receive the goods, has not been revealed; however, the Customs Service (SA) said that it was a local company which could also be fined as much as MOP100,000.

The goods were intercepted just a day after SA found similar items in luggage at the Macau International Airport containing 103,700 cigarettes, 42,200 e-cigarettes, and 716 injectable drugs, with a total market value of MOP610,000.

The illegal items were found in the stuff of 4 people, all mainland residents aged 38-56, who had arrived on a flight from Japan. They have been charged per the Foreign Trade Law.

Electronic cigarettes are banned in Macau; however, cartels and individuals try to sneak them in.

Recently, the border inspection department recorded 49 cases related to e-cigarettes, cartridges, liquids, and related products.

It seized 68,247 e-cigarettes and 21,299 cartridges or liquid products, among other items.