Hong Kong man arrested in Macau for selling drug-laced e-cigarettes
Macau police arrested a 35-year-old Hong Kong man for smuggling and selling e-cigarettes containing controlled THC oil. He faces charges of illegal drug use, possession and trafficking, with a maximum 15-year prison sentence. Police are investigating other suspects.
Macau’s Judiciary Police (PJ) have arrested a 35-year-old Hong Kong man working as an electrician in Macau, accusing him of smuggling e-cigarettes containing drug-laced oil from Hong Kong for sale in the territory. He was brought before the Macau Public Prosecutions Office on the morning of 1 November, facing charges of illegal consumption, possession and trafficking of narcotic and psychotropic substances.
Acting on intelligence, PJ officers intercepted the suspect in the central district and seized six e-cigarettes containing drug-laced oil, with an estimated street value of about 8,000 Macau patacas. A subsequent search of his residence uncovered another four e-cigarette devices that had already been used. Laboratory tests confirmed the oil contained tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a controlled substance. The suspect also tested positive for drugs in a urine screening.
Investigators believe the man was not only using the drugs himself but had recently begun smuggling drug-laced e-cigarette oil from Hong Kong into Macau. He is suspected of having successfully sold the products to three people at 1,400 patacas each.
PJ officials stressed that the illegal sale of narcotic or psychotropic substances in Macau is a serious crime, carrying a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment. Illegal consumption or improper possession of related paraphernalia also carries criminal liability.
The force said it would continue to pursue other individuals involved in the case and enhance intelligence-sharing and law enforcement cooperation with neighbouring police forces to combat cross-border drug trafficking.