The Judiciary Police (PJ) arrested on Monday two Filipinos at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZMB) checkpoint for smuggling 119.4 grams of methamphetamine (aka ice) from Hong Kong, PJ spokesman Chan Wun Man said yesterday, adding that nine packets of the drug with an estimated street value of about 400,000 patacas and drug-taking paraphernalia were found in the duo’s underpants.
According to yesterday’s special press conference, the two suspects are, respectively, surnamed Pene, aged 42, holding a non-permanent Macau ID card; and Bagaan, aged 37, holding a local work permit (informally known as “blue card”) working as a cleaner in Macau.
Upon having received intelligence that a criminal gang headed by Filipinos smuggling drugs from Hong Kong for sale to their compatriots in Macau, the Judiciary Police, Chan noted, launched an in-depth investigation and soon identified Pene and Bagaan as two of the gang members. Both were caught by PJ officers on Monday when they returned from Hong Kong to Macau and were about to leave the HZMB checkpoint in a taxi.
Under questioning, Chan said, each only admitted to having a drug habit, but they refused to further cooperate with the police. Chan added that both tested positive for drugs.
The Judiciary Police believe, according to Chan, that the duo had been trafficking drugs in Macau for at least six months. The two suspects were transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP), facing charges of taking and selling narcotics and psychotropic substances, as well as possession of drug-taking paraphernalia.
The two hooded Filipino drug suspects are escorted by police officers to a Judiciary Police (PJ) vehicle outside the PJ headquarters in Zape yesterday.
– Photo: Yuki Lei
