A local man surnamed Gonçalves was arrested on Monday in Zape for receiving two parcels containing 11.1 grammes of methamphetamine (aka ice) and 7.8 grammes of heroin respectively sent by mail from the UK to Macau via the mainland, Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Chong Kam Leong said during a special press conference yesterday.
Chong pointed out that during a follow-up investigation on a drug case that was busted in January when they seized 24.8 grammes of ice, the Judiciary Police received a tip-off from the mainland police in late February that two parcels possibly containing drugs would be delivered from the UK to Macau on February 25 and March 10 respectively.
The Judiciary Police later identified the parcel’s recipient as 44-year-old Gonçalves, and launched a joint investigation with Macau Customs Service (SA) and the mainland police on the parcels.
PJ officers put Gonçalves under surveillance, and arrested him at noon on Monday when he was on the way to collect the two parcels from a pick-up point in Zape, Chong said, adding that during the operation, PJ officers seized 11.1 grammes of ice and 7.8 grammes of heroin with an estimated street value of 50,000 patacas from the two drug parcels “disguised as toys”.
Under questioning, according to Chong, Gonçalves insisted that the drugs were for his own use.
Gonçalves was transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) yesterday, facing a drug trafficking charge, Chong said.
The Judiciary Police are continuing their investigation to trace the source of the drugs.
Chong noted that the Judiciary Police have strengthened intelligence exchanges with their counterparts in the mainland and Hong Kong, and adjusted their investigative strategies in response to the changes in the city’s customs clearance policy.
Evidence seized from the local drug suspect such as two packs of ice and heroin, and stickers, as well as five photos provided by the Judiciary Police (PJ) showing other evidence such as drug-taking paraphernalia are displayed during yesterday’s special press conference at PJ headquarters in Zape. – Photo: Yuki Lei
