Malaysian Arrested In Macau With RM2.09 Million Drugs Has Two Narcotics Records, Departed From Neighbouring Country
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian who was arrested in Macau with heroin valued at RM2.09 million last month is believed to have obtained the supply from a neighbouring country.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (JSJN) Director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said that the suspect is also believed to have taken a flight from a neighbouring country, not from Malaysia.
According to him, his department received official information from the Macau authorities regarding the arrest of the Malaysian, who is in his mid-20s and originates from Sarawak, yesterday.
“The information we received shows that the suspect did not depart from Malaysia but from a neighbouring country in the north. We also believe that the drugs carried by the suspect were obtained from a neighbouring country.
“JSJN is cooperating with drug enforcement agencies from neighbouring countries as the suspect used routes other than the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) for the purpose of drug smuggling,” he told BH today.
Hussein said that the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is now establishing cooperation with the Macau police, including intelligence information exchange regarding this case.
“Joint investigations by both parties are being conducted to identify the masterminds and other syndicate members involved.
“Our checks found that the suspect has two narcotics criminal records, each related to drug possession and drug abuse offences under Section 12(2) and Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,” he said.
Hussein said that the drugs seized from the suspect, believed to be heroin, were concealed inside sardine cans labelled as tuna paste, contained within packages along with biscuits.
“A number of these packages were found in the luggage carried by the suspect upon arrival at Macau International Airport.
“JSJN is investigating the suspect’s connection with drug syndicates in this country, including identifying the masterminds and syndicate members in Malaysia who have links to this case. Investigations are still actively ongoing,” he said.
Two days ago, it was reported that a Malaysian was arrested at Macau International Airport on suspicion of smuggling 2,987 grammes of heroin.
The Macau Judicial Police (PJ) in a statement said that the man arrived in Macau from a Southeast Asian region late at night on 20 June before being arrested upon retrieving his checked baggage.
Inspection found 49 boxes of tuna biscuits neatly packed, with each box containing two packs of biscuits and one tin of tuna paste in the suspect’s luggage.
Further inspection of the 49 tins revealed that they did not contain tuna paste, but instead were filled with white powder, which was later confirmed to be heroin.
The PJ was also reported to have said that investigations found that the man was recruited by a drug syndicate in Malaysia to collect drugs in a Southeast Asian country before smuggling them into Macau.
The drugs were believed to be intended for delivery to a nearby region according to syndicate instructions, while the suspect was promised payment of RM3,000 or approximately 6,000 Macau patacas upon completion of the task.
Meanwhile, Hussein reminded Malaysians travelling abroad to be mindful of the luggage they carry.
“They need to be fully aware of the contents of their luggage or any packages they carry to avoid being trapped and used as drug mules by syndicates,” he said.
Harian Metro