The Regional Command of the Public Security Police of Madeira reported the arrest in the act of two male citizens, aged 45 and 49, born in the municipality of Funchal, with the profession of taxi driver, for the crime of over charging.
Following an inspection action carried out by the Traffic Police (ET) on the 29th of January, in Largo das Babosas – Monte, motivated by complaints from foreign citizens to the PSP, which reported disrespect for the tariff regulated by the Regional Directorate of Economy and Transport for RAM in combined services, it was possible to intercept and detain the citizen mentioned above, when he had just completed a service from downtown Funchal to Largo das Babosas, stopping at Jardim Botânico, with a total duration of 3H on the clock.
In these terms, after hearing the witnesses and collecting material evidence from the taxi driver, it was possible to verify that the value charged by him was triple the stated value, thus finding him to be committing a crime, which is why he was arrested, having his vehicle seized.
On January 30th, following a new inspection action by ET, this time at the Port of Funchal, it was possible to intercept and detain another citizen, when he had just completed a service from downtown Funchal to Cabo Girão, with a stop at the Botanical Garden, C.ª de Lobos bay, and return to the city of Funchal, with a total duration of 4 hours.
After hearing witnesses and collecting material evidence from the taxi driver, it was possible to verify that the value charged by him was 4 times more than the stated value, thus finding him to be committing a crime of over charge, which is why he was arrested, having his vehicle seized.
Both detainees, after being presented to the judicial authority, were given an identity and residence order and the case will be subject to investigation.
The Regional Command of PSP Madeira calls on tour operators as well as hotels to widely publicize the regulated tariffs for this type of service in RAM, with a view to informing tourists about the prices charged between the different routes.