MALAYSIAN police believe a local man arrested in Macau with almost RM2.1 million worth of heroin did not depart from Malaysia and instead obtained the narcotics in a neighbouring country before attempting to smuggle them into the Chinese territory.
Director of the Royal Malaysia Police's Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID), Datuk Hussein Omar Khan, said authorities received official information from Macau on Sunday regarding the arrest of the Malaysian, who is in his mid-20s and originates from Sarawak.
"The information we received indicates that the suspect did not depart from Malaysia but from a neighbouring country to the north. We also believe the drugs carried by the suspect were obtained in that neighbouring country.
"NCID is cooperating with drug enforcement agencies in the neighbouring country as the suspect used a route other than Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to smuggle the drugs," Harian Metro reported him saying.
Hussein said the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is working closely with the Macau Police through intelligence-sharing and joint investigations to identify those responsible for the cross-border trafficking operation.
"Joint investigations are being conducted to identify the mastermind and other members of the syndicate involved.
"Our records show the suspect has two previous narcotics-related offences involving possession of dangerous drugs and drug abuse under Section 12(2) and Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952," he said.
Investigators believe the heroin was concealed inside sardine-sized tins labelled as tuna paste, which were packed together with biscuits in the suspect's luggage.
The packages were discovered after the suspect arrived at Macau International Airport, where authorities inspected his checked baggage.
"NCID is investigating the suspect's links to drug syndicates in Malaysia, including identifying the masterminds and syndicate members connected to this case. Investigations are ongoing," Hussein said.
Macau authorities previously announced that the Malaysian was arrested after arriving at Macau International Airport on the night of 20 June from another Southeast Asian location.
According to Macau's Judiciary Police, officers discovered 49 neatly packed boxes labelled as tuna biscuits in the suspect's checked baggage. Each box contained two packets of biscuits and one tin labelled as tuna paste.
A subsequent examination revealed that the tins did not contain tuna paste but were instead filled with white powder, later confirmed to be heroin.
The total seizure amounted to 2,987 grammes of heroin, with an estimated street value of approximately RM2.09 million.
Macau investigators believe the suspect had been recruited by a Malaysian-based drug syndicate to collect the narcotics from another Southeast Asian country before transporting them to Macau, from where the drugs were allegedly destined for a nearby region.
The suspect was reportedly promised RM3,000, equivalent to around 6,000 Macau patacas, upon successfully completing the delivery.
Hussein also urged Malaysians travelling overseas to remain vigilant about the contents of their luggage.
"They must know exactly what is inside their baggage or any packages they are carrying to avoid being trapped and becoming drug mules for criminal syndicates," he said. - July 6, 2026
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