PJ reports first case ever of drugs concealed in walking cane

The Judiciary Police (PJ) have for the first time discovered drugs concealed within a walking cane of a disabled man. Inspection revealed methamphetamine worth over MOP50,000 hidden in a compartment of his walking cane.

Authorities intercepted the local man in his fifties upon entering Macau from Hong Kong and suspected that the man was transporting the drugs for personal use and sale, the source of these drugs is currently under investigation.

The arrested man, is 53 years old, and claims to be unemployed. The PJ also said that he has a criminal record related to drugs, with his most recent arrest for drug offenses occurring three years ago.

According to the PJ, Ho requires a walking cane for assistance due to a leg disability and he began using drugs in the 1990s.

The police stated that to have received a tip off on the case and intercepted the man at around 2 p.m. on Feb. 3, when he was reentering Macau from Hong Kong via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge border checkpoint.

Two packets of powder with a total weight of 17.43 grams were found hidden in a compartment of his walking cane. Laboratory tests confirmed the substance was methamphetamine, valued at approximately MOP52,000.

A plastic bottle suspected to be for drug use was also seized during a search of his residence in the northern district.

Tests also confirmed that the suspect is a drug user.

The PJ stated that the tip off received includes reliable information that the suspect had been transporting drugs into Macau over the past month for personal use and sale for profit.

The case has been transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office for further investigation and accusation. Ricaela Diputado