Macau and Zhuhai customs seize large quantity of electronics being smuggled into mainland

Macau and Zhuhai customs authorities have found, in separate cases, large quantities of electronics – including old mobile phones and laptops – being smuggled across the border into the mainland.

In one of the cases, a 14-year-old local student was found to be involved in the scheme, prompting the authorities to report the case to the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) and notify his legal guardian.

In the first case, unveiled by Zhuhai Customs, a local man was found transporting 154 mobile phones across the border. The devices were wrapped in plastic and hidden in his car’s trunk compartment.

According to the report from the neighboring city’s authorities, the man was driving a car with dual license plates and entering Zhuhai at the Qingmao cross-border zone port.

An inspection of the vehicle revealed a hidden compartment with many mobile devices.

In the other case, the Macau Customs Service (SA) raided an alleged bottled water distribution point in the northern district, where they found and seized 278 laptops and 900 used mobile phones.

According to SA, the devices have a total market value of around MOP180,000.

In this operation, they also caught a 14-year-old local student who was allegedly transporting the devices in small batches across the border into Zhuhai.

A 60-year-old woman, suspected of leading this operation, was also questioned.

The SA found the storage site after being led to it by the youngster caught by customs officers while attempting to smuggle some electronic devices.

When questioned by the authorities, he admitted to doing this activity as a job and led the officers to the storage unit, where they found the larger portion of the devices.

The SA stated that the woman is suspected of illegally organizing smugglers to transport goods to the mainland and violating regulations regarding illegal work by employing minors under the legal working age.

The SA has also forwarded the case to the Labour Affairs Bureau and the Financial Services Bureau for follow-up.

Lawmaker warns about the issue

Two weeks ago, lawmaker Lam Lon Wai expressed concerns over the issue, noting that students take advantage of the school summer break to engage in illegal activities, including cross-border contraband.

Lam’s concerns were raised in a spoken inquiry delivered at the Legislative Assembly before the agenda of the plenary session.

He also mentioned the cases of two other students, one aged 13 and the other 16, who were intercepted by SA for trafficking and smuggling old mobile phones across the border earlier this month.

The lawmaker added that, according to a study titled “Research Report on the Characteristics of Young Offenders” and studies on youth trends, during long vacations, due to a lack of appropriate activities, it is easier for young people to exhibit behavioral deviations, become addicted to electronic devices, or even break the law.

He claimed that many students spend a lot of time on their cell phones, viewing harmful content on the internet, and may be induced to participate in illegal activities such as trafficking and theft.

Lam said that Macau “must continue to improve the legal education of young people and fill the gaps in guidance, starting with preventive intervention, guidance, and communication, to create a more comprehensive support system for the summer holidays.”

He also urged authorities, schools, companies, and associations to collaborate to promote vacation activities with diverse themes—including sports, culture, science and technology, civic education, and volunteer work. To increase motivation and recognition, he proposed subsidies for those who participate.