Macau police seize $30m in cannabis, arrest three in largest-ever drug smuggling case

Macau authorities have intercepted a record-breaking 30 kilograms of cannabis flowers destined for Hong Kong, arresting three men, including a Hong Kong resident orchestrating the operation, in a major blow to an international drug trafficking scheme.

In a significant crackdown, Macau’s Judiciary Police have seized over 30 kilograms of cannabis flowers, valued at approximately 30 million Macau patacas, marking the largest drug trafficking case in the city’s history.

The operation culminated in the arrest of three men—two Malaysian nationals responsible for transporting the drugs and a Hong Kong resident believed to be directing and overseeing the smuggling effort. 

The suspects were apprehended yesterday afternoon and handed over to the Public Prosecutions Office for further investigation.

The Policia Judiciaria received intelligence and  uncovered a sophisticated plan to smuggle the drugs from Thailand through South Korea to Macau, with the final destination being Hong Kong. 

Authorities zeroed in on a suspicious flight arriving in Macau, monitoring three men as they disembarked.

After the Malaysian men collected their luggage, the police intercepted them and the Hong Kong man suspected of leading the operation.

The luggage were found to contain 56 vacuum-sealed packages wrapped in foil, concealing the cannabis flowers. 

Investigations revealed that the Malaysian men were recruited by a drug trafficking syndicate and tasked with collecting luggage packed with cannabis in Thailand. 

Under the guidance of the Hong Kong suspect, the group traveled together to South Korea before catching a connecting flight to Macau, intending to smuggle the drugs into Hong Kong. 

The Judiciary Police emphasized their commitment to pursuing other individuals involved in the syndicate.