The Cross-departmental Working Team checked 13 premises today (August 19). Two premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed and eight occupants were detained. Since the law on “Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation” took effect on August 13, a total of 170 premises were checked, of which ten were normal residences, while 24 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed with electricity and water supply cut. Among the checked premises, some were vacant or unoccupied. MGTO and the police will continue investigation on unanswered doors which are suspected to be used to provide accommodation illegally. When necessary, MGTO can request a judicial order to enter into the suspect premises to investigate. To date, a total of 133 occupants were detained, including five operators, three touts, three persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) and one occupant who failed to fulfill her duty of cooperation. Among the occupants, there were five overstayers and one illegal immigrant.
MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau remind travelers that, according to the law on “Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation”, occupants found in premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally have the obligation to provide information or will be fined 3,000 patacas for violating the duty of cooperation. Occupants providing false information need to bear criminal responsibility. Non-residents who fail to pay the fine by due date will be denied reentry into Macau. Following the raid to premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved operators, touts and managing staff, and adopted provisional measures to cut the supply of water and electricity to the concerned premises and sealed the doors. According to the new law, operators and person who manage the premise that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) incur a penalty up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas and occupants who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas.
