A 24-year-old Malaysian man has been arrested at Macau International Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle nearly 3kg of heroin concealed in food packaging, authorities said Saturday.
According to TDM TV, the Judiciary Police said the suspect arrived on a flight from a Southeast Asian country and was flagged through intelligence-led risk assessments before his arrival.
Narcotics officers detained him after he collected his checked luggage, in an operation coordinated with Customs and the Public Security Police.
A search uncovered 49 food packages labelled as tuna spread, biscuits and canned goods. Several cans contained white powder instead of food, later confirmed by forensic analysis as heroin weighing 2,987g. Police estimated the drugs’ street value at about MOP4.18 million (US$517,532).
Investigators believe the suspect was recruited by a drug trafficking syndicate in Malaysia and instructed to collect the narcotics abroad before transporting them to Macau. He was allegedly promised MOP6,000 for completing the delivery. Police said the drugs were intended for distribution in a nearby region.
The man has been referred to the Public Prosecution Office on suspicion of unlawful trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Authorities said investigations are ongoing to identify other syndicate members still at large.
