A 24-year-old Malaysian arrested in Macau last month for allegedly attempting to smuggle nearly 3kg of heroin worth around RM2.09 million has been confirmed to have previous drug-related offences in Malaysia.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said Malaysian authorities received official confirmation from Macau police regarding the arrest on Sunday.
Checks revealed that the suspect, who is from Sarawak, has two previous drug-related records under Section 12(2) and Section 15(1) of Malaysia’s Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
According to Hussein, the heroin was concealed inside sardine tins labelled as tuna paste, which were packed together with biscuits inside the suspect’s luggage before being discovered upon his arrival at Macau International Airport.
Investigators believe the suspect did not depart directly from Malaysia. Instead, he allegedly travelled from a neighbouring Southeast Asian country to the north, where the drugs are also believed to have been obtained.
Malaysian police are now working closely with Macau authorities and regional anti-drug enforcement agencies to identify the mastermind behind the operation as well as other syndicate members believed to be involved.
The investigation is focusing on intelligence-sharing and tracing the wider trafficking network responsible for the smuggling attempt.
Hussein also reminded Malaysians travelling overseas to always monitor their luggage and ensure they know exactly what they are carrying to avoid being exploited as drug mules by international syndicates.
Macau Judicial Police previously announced that the suspect was arrested on 20 June after officers allegedly seized 2.987kg of heroin valued at approximately 4.18 million Macau patacas (RM2.09 million).
Authorities also recovered 49 boxes of tuna biscuits, each containing two packets of biscuits and one tin of tuna paste. Further inspection revealed that several of the tins had been filled with white powder, later confirmed to be heroin.
Preliminary investigations indicate the suspect was allegedly recruited by a Malaysian drug trafficking syndicate and promised RM3,000 upon completing the delivery. He was reportedly instructed to collect the drugs in another Southeast Asian country before smuggling them into Macau for onward delivery to a nearby region.
