A 24-year-old Malaysian man from Sarawak was arrested at Macau International Airport on June 20, 2026, for trying to smuggle about 2.987 kilograms of heroin valued at approximately RM2.09 million [1, 2, 3]. The heroin was hidden inside sardine-sized tins labeled as tuna paste, packed together with biscuits in 49 boxes in his checked luggage [1, 2, 3].
Datuk Hussein Omar Khan, director of Bukit Aman’s Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID), said the man has two prior narcotics-related convictions under Section 12(2) and Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 in Malaysia. "Our checks found that the man has a criminal record of two narcotics-related offences," he said [1].
The suspect did not depart from Malaysia but flew from a neighboring country to the north, believed to be the source of the drugs. "The suspect did not depart from Malaysia but from a neighbouring country to the north, and the drugs were believed to have been sourced from there," Datuk Hussein said [2]. Authorities also noted the suspect arrived in Macau via a route other than Kuala Lumpur International Airport [2, 3].
Preliminary investigations indicate the man was recruited by a drug trafficking syndicate and promised RM3,000 to deliver the heroin [1]. Bukit Aman NCID is cooperating with Macau police and drug enforcement agencies in the neighboring countries through intelligence sharing and joint investigations to identify the mastermind and other syndicate members [1, 2, 3]. Datuk Hussein added, "NCID is cooperating with drug enforcement agencies in the neighbouring country as the suspect used a route other than Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to smuggle the drugs" [3].
Bukit Aman’s NCID received official confirmation of the arrest and details of the suspect’s prior record from Macau police on July 5 [1, 2, 3]. The investigation continues with authorities focusing on uncovering the syndicate behind the operation.
