Macao Customs shuts down smuggling supply hub near Border Gate, seizes 950 kg of frozen beef

Macao Customs announced on August 28 that it had uncovered and shut down a supply hub for illegal cross-border couriers, known as "water guests," in a commercial building in the Barrier Gate area the previous day, seizing approximately 950 kilograms of frozen beef. The raid took place in a tenant space near the Border Gate checkpoint, a key land crossing to mainland China, where businesses catering to couriers have long operated. A 29-year-old Macao woman, the on-site manager, was detained, and the beef was valued at around 30,000 patacas (about 600,000 yen). The woman faces charges under the Foreign Trade Act, with fines up to 100,000 patacas, for allegedly organizing couriers to smuggle goods to the mainland and failing to provide purchase documents. Authorities also found the meat stored at room temperature, violating food safety standards, and the business operated without a license, prompting referrals to municipal and financial authorities.