The Macao police have nabbed 48 illegal imported laborers in April, according to official statistics issued Monday.

The figures released by the Labor Affairs Bureau (LAB) showed the police have conducted 64 raids on 74 sites in April, and have made 1,211 identification checks on 759 people.

The employment of illegal workers is a crime that incurs hefty fines and imprisonment in case of repeat offenders. Illegally employed workers are customarily ordered to leave Macao.

Macao's number of illegally imported laborers has been on the rise in recent years.

(Xinhua News Agency May 22, 2007)