PJ arrests two smugglers in prescription drug trafficking scheme

[Photo: Renato Marques]

The Judiciary Police (PJ) have arrested two suspected parallel traders for allegedly helping a criminal syndicate smuggle 660 pills of controlled substances – phentermine and methylphenidate – into mainland China.

Investigators believe a drug trafficking syndicate used Macau as a transit hub, routing the contraband from overseas to the mainland, then circuitously to Macau, before attempting to smuggle it back across the border.

The suspects are a 30-year-old local woman and a 33-year-old male non-resident worker from the mainland. Acting on a tip-off from Macau Customs regarding a suspicious package bound for the General Post Office, PJ officers set an ambush.

They intercepted the female suspect as she picked up the parcel, which contained 480 phentermine capsules, 120 phentermine tablets, and 60 methylphenidate tablets disguised as clothing.

Phentermine is banned in Macau, while methylphenidate is a strictly controlled prescription medication. A follow-up operation in the Northern District led to the arrest of the male suspect. Police revealed both individuals have worked as parallel traders for four years. The man confessed to being recruited by the syndicate and bringing the woman into the scheme. Authorities believe both knew the packages contained illegal contraband.