Macau’s Judiciary Police arrested a 35-year-old Hong Kong man who works as an electrician in the city, suspecting him of smuggling THC e-cigarettes in from Hong Kong to sell.[1] Acting on intelligence, officers stopped him in the central district (中區) and found six e-cigarettes filled with drug oil on him, which police put at about MOP8,000.[1] A search of his home found four more e-cigarette devices that had already been used.[1]
Laboratory tests found the oil contained controlled tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and his urine test for drugs was positive.[1] Police believe he used the vapes himself and had recently begun bringing them from Hong Kong, selling to at least three people at MOP1,400 each.[1] He was taken to the Public Prosecutions Office (檢察院) for questioning on the morning of 1 November, suspected of illegal consumption, possession and trafficking of narcotic and psychotropic substances.[2]
The force said trafficking narcotic or psychotropic substances is a serious offence in Macau, punishable by up to 15 years in prison, and that illegal consumption or improper possession of such equipment also carries criminal liability.[1] Police said they were still tracing other people involved and would share intelligence and enforcement cooperation with neighbouring forces against cross-border drug trafficking.[1]