Macau Customs Services announced in a statement last week that its officers seized 70 terrapins* worth 35,000 patacas, or 500 patacas per reptile, on Tuesday
Based on trends observed in smuggler activities, the statement said that customs officers identified and monitored a flat suspected of serving as a parallel-trading den, adding that on Tuesday, during surveillance, they observed three women leaving the flat and heading towards the Barrier Gate checkpoint, the statement said.
According to the Thursday statement, customs officers promptly intercepted the trio at the checkpoint’s Departures Hall and seized 12 live terrapins concealed among their personal belongings.
During questioning, the statement said, all three individuals admitted to engaging in parallel trading activities.
Customs immediately afterwards raided the flat, where a man in charge of the “business” was questioned and 58 live terrapins were seized. The man was unable to present documentation proving the origin of the terrapins.
The statement said that the male who ran the “business” had hired parallel traders to smuggle terrapins from Macau to the mainland.
According to the statement, the four individuals are local residents aged between 55 and 69.
The Macau Customs Service has taken legal action against the quartet in accordance with the External Trade Law, adding that they could face a maximum fine of 100,000 patacas.
The statement also said that the three women are also suspected of violating provisions of the law implementing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), adding that all terrapins have been handed over to the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) for follow-up action.
*A terrapin is a small to medium-sized aquatic or semi-aquatic turtle, typically found in fresh or brackish water. – Poe
This undated handout photo provided by the Macau Customs Service last week shows 70 terrapins seized by its officers at the Barrier Gate checkpoint and a parallel-trading den on Tuesday.
