Taxi driver and overstayer detained for abetting illegal border crossing

A 53-year-old local man working as a taxi driver and another man from the mainland overstaying his visa in Macau have been detained by the Judiciary Police (PJ), a spokesperson announced yesterday during a special press conference from the force.

The two were caught in connection with the case of a third person who crossed the border illegally, a 35-year-old man from the mainland who has been awaiting trial in Macau for several crimes.

According to the PJ, the main suspect was involved in crimes committed some time ago related to aggravated theft and participation in a criminal organization. He had been conditionally released from prison while awaiting trial, with requirements to remain in Macau and present regularly to authorities.

The man had called on the two suspects now in custody for help in illegally crossing the border into the mainland.

The investigation in Macau was prompted by the man’s capture on the mainland after he illegally crossed the border by climbing a wall at the University of Macau campus, entering the mainland through Hengqin.

Reviewing surveillance footage, the PJ confirmed that the man had visited the location twice, carried by the same taxi driver each time. The first time, on April 29, they were seemingly surveying the location and then returned on the evening of May 1 to help the man cross the border.

They used a telescopic metal ladder which was put in position by the overstayer. After the man arrived at the scene by taxi, he crossed the wall, and then the same man took the ladder away, storing it at the runaway suspect’s home in Macau.

On May 2, both the taxi driver and the overstayer were detained in Macau and brought in for questioning.

They are both being charged with aiding illegal immigration, an offense that is currently considered an aggravated crime due to the pandemic.

The overstaying suspect caught in Macau is also being charged over illegally remaining in Macau.