(Kuching, 6th) Macau authorities last month detained a 24-year-old Sarawak man suspected of attempting to smuggle nearly 3 kilograms of heroin, valued at about RM2.09 million. Police also found that he has a criminal record related to drug offenses.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department Director, Husin Omar, stated that on Sunday (July 5), police received formal notification from Macau police confirming the arrest of the suspect.
He said investigations revealed the man had two previous convictions for drug-related crimes, under Section 12(2) and Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
He noted that the drugs involved were hidden in sardine cans labeled as tuna spread and placed together with biscuits in the suspect’s luggage, which was discovered when the suspect arrived at Macau International Airport.
Husin said that investigations are still underway to trace the mastermind and other members of the crime syndicate operating in Malaysia.
“The authorities are also cooperating with law enforcement agencies in neighboring countries for the investigation, because it’s believed the suspect did not depart via Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), but rather used a northern neighbor route to enter Macau.”
“The suspect did not depart directly from Malaysia, but flew out from a northern neighboring country, and it’s believed the drugs were obtained in that country.”
He also reminded Malaysians traveling abroad to carefully check their luggage to avoid being exploited by criminal syndicates as drug mules, and to clearly understand the contents of their belongings.
Earlier, Macau’s Judiciary Police announced that on June 20 they arrested a Malaysian man at Macau International Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle 2.987kg of heroin, with a street value of around 4.18 million Macau patacas (about RM2.09 million).
Law enforcement officials also seized 49 boxes of tuna biscuits, each containing two packets of biscuits and a can labeled as tuna spread. Upon further inspection, several cans were found to contain white powder, later confirmed to be heroin.
Preliminary investigations showed the suspect was likely recruited by a Malaysian drug trafficking syndicate and was promised a payment of RM3,000 for completing the transportation task.
He was instructed to collect the goods from a Southeast Asian country, then smuggle the drugs into Macau and hand them over to a contact person in a nearby region as directed by the syndicate.
He said investigations revealed the man had two previous convictions for drug-related crimes, under Section 12(2) and Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
He noted that the drugs involved were hidden in sardine cans labeled as tuna spread and placed together with biscuits in the suspect’s luggage, which was discovered when the suspect arrived at Macau International Airport.
Husin said that investigations are still underway to trace the mastermind and other members of the crime syndicate operating in Malaysia.
“The authorities are also cooperating with law enforcement agencies in neighboring countries for the investigation, because it’s believed the suspect did not depart via Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), but rather used a northern neighbor route to enter Macau.”
“The suspect did not depart directly from Malaysia, but flew out from a northern neighboring country, and it’s believed the drugs were obtained in that country.”
He also reminded Malaysians traveling abroad to carefully check their luggage to avoid being exploited by criminal syndicates as drug mules, and to clearly understand the contents of their belongings.
Earlier, Macau’s Judiciary Police announced that on June 20 they arrested a Malaysian man at Macau International Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle 2.987kg of heroin, with a street value of around 4.18 million Macau patacas (about RM2.09 million).
Law enforcement officials also seized 49 boxes of tuna biscuits, each containing two packets of biscuits and a can labeled as tuna spread. Upon further inspection, several cans were found to contain white powder, later confirmed to be heroin.
Preliminary investigations showed the suspect was likely recruited by a Malaysian drug trafficking syndicate and was promised a payment of RM3,000 for completing the transportation task.
He was instructed to collect the goods from a Southeast Asian country, then smuggle the drugs into Macau and hand them over to a contact person in a nearby region as directed by the syndicate.