Customs intercepts high quantities of e-cigarettes and Japanese sake

Customs officers intercepted 10 smuggling attempts last week at several entry points, including the Macau International Airport, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HKZMB), and the Border Gate.

According to a statement from the Macau Customs Service (SA), the seized goods were worth about MOP470,000 and included a large quantity of e-cigarettes and Japanese sake.

The SA noted that, regarding the smoking products, it seized approximately 53,000 e-cigarettes and approximately 15,000 cigarettes, while a total of 105 liters of Japanese sake was seized.

In addition, authorities also seized 600 toy models and 117 used mobile phones.

Customs noted that the smoking products were found in the carry-on luggage of two passengers arriving from the mainland at the airport. In contrast, the toy models were found in the luggage of a local resident and a Hong Kong resident arriving in Macau via the HKZMB.

At the same port, but in the vehicle arrival area, the SA found over 100 liters of Japanese sake being transported in a private vehicle driven by a local resident.

The remaining goods and products were found on two mainland residents, two Macau residents, and one Hong Kong resident who were attempting to smuggle a large quantity of used mobile phones out of Macau, concealed on their bodies beneath their clothes.

In the operation, authorities detained 10 people aged between 18 and 50, who will be prosecuted under the Foreign Trade Law and could be fined up to MOP100,000.

As two of the suspects were found to be carrying smoking-related products, they are also suspected of violating the Prevention and Control of Smoking Regulations, and their cases have been transferred to the Health Bureau for follow-up.