A Vietnamese man was arrested on Tuesday for drug trafficking and possession of 170 grammes of cannabis and 104 grammes of ice with an estimated street value of 50,000 patacas, Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Choi Ian Fai said at a special press conference yesterday.
The 30-year-old Vietnamese jobless suspect surnamed Phung holds a Temporary Stay Permit.
According to Choi, the Judiciary Police were tipped-off a week ago that a Vietnamese man was engaged in drug trafficking, selling drugs to regular customers of night entertainment venues. PJ officers identified Phung, who lives near Luís de Camões Garden, as the suspect.
The Judiciary Police put Phung under surveillance on Tuesday. While under surveillance in Largo de Santo António at about 10 p.m. that day, Phung apparently realised that he was being followed and suddenly walked away quickly.
In order to stop Phung from escaping, PJ officers immediately arrested him. Two packets of ice weighing 0.8 grammes were found on him.
Choi said the Judiciary Police later searched Phung’s home and seized 170 grammes of cannabis; 103 grammes of ice, as well as drug packaging tools and 10,000 patacas of suspected drug money.
Under questioning, Phung admitted to drug trafficking. He told the police that he followed the instructions of senior members of a gang to sell drugs, such as 1,500 patacas per 0.4 grammes of ice, earning him 200 patacas for every small packet of ice he sold. Phung refused to provide further information to the police, according to Choi.
Choi said Phung was a non-resident worker who was previously employed as a cleaner, but he was dismissed a month ago and remained in Macau legally as he had obtained a Temporary Stay Permit. The Judiciary Police believe that Phung had been selling drugs for about a month.
Phung was transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) yesterday, facing drug trafficking charges, according to Choi.
Evidence seized from the suspect such as packets of ice and cannabis, a smartphone and a digital scale is displayed at the Judiciary Police (PJ) headquarters during yesterday’s special press conference.
The hooded Vietnamese drugs suspect is escorted by Judiciary Police (PJ) officers from the PJ headquarters to a vehicle yesterday. Photos: Iong Tat Choi
