PJ busts illegal exchange and unauthorized stay operation

In a crackdown on organized crime, the Judiciary Police (PJ) have busted an illegal exchange and human trafficking operation, seizing millions in cash and arresting four suspects.

According to a PJ report, the PJ apprehended four suspects linked to illegal gambling operations and the trafficking of individuals who have illegally entered or overstayed in Macau. The arrests were made during an operation at a hotel within an entertainment venue in Cotai, following a tip-off from intelligence about illicit activities.

The operation resulted in authorities intercepting four suspects and two witnesses. Police detained the four suspects, all of whom are mainland residents and reportedly unemployed. During the investigation, officials also interviewed two witnesses. The suspects, identified only by their surnames, are aged between 35 and 37.

Authorities seized large sums of cash from the suspects. A total of HKD 2.35 million was confiscated, including HKD1,773,500 and RMB1,800 from one suspect, and HKD 572,600 and RMB1,500 from another. Additionally, another suspect had HKD66,700 in chips and HKD6,000 in cash. Investigators also uncovered multiple records related to illegal exchange transactions on the suspects’ mobile phones.

According to the police, the suspects were engaged in illegal exchange activities, which involved exchanging cash for chips in a manner that violated legal regulations. The investigation revealed that one suspect had been involved in illegal exchange operations since December 2023, while another had been active since February 2023, despite previous bans on their entry into the territory.

The PJ confirmed that one of the detained individuals had previously smuggled themselves into the city and was found to be operating illegal activities shortly after their arrival. In total, the investigation indicated a significant network of illegal operations, including charges related to unauthorized stay, as one witness was identified as a person overstaying their visa and paying a daily rent of HKD200 per day for accommodations arranged by one of the suspects.

The bureau plans to charge the four suspects with operating illegal gambling exchanges and will also pursue charges against one suspect for facilitating illegal stays. The case will be forwarded to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) for further legal action. Victoria Chan