Evidence seized from the two drug suspects such as two smartphones, packets of cocaine and drug money is displayed at the Judiciary Police (PJ) headquarters yesterday. Photo courtesy of TDM

An Indonesian domestic helper and a Tanzanian jobless man were arrested on Wednesday in the Patane district for selling and taking drugs, Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Leng Kam Lon said at a special press conference yesterday.

In the operation, the police seized 1.85 grammes of cocaine with an estimated market value of 6,500 patacas and nearly 20,000 patacas of suspected drug money, Leng said

The 42-year-old female surnamed Yanti is a non-resident worker, while the 33-year-old Tanzanian man surnamed Lugembe holds a temporary stay permit.

According to Leng, the Judiciary Police were tipped off recently that a South Asian woman was selling drugs in the Patane district. PJ officers took action on Wednesday and found the woman walking around at night in Avenida do Almirante Lacerda. The officers intercepted Yanti and found six packets of cocaine on her. The officers later seized two more packets of cocaine as well as nearly 20,000 patacas in suspected drug money at Yanti’s home in the neighbourhood. When the police went to Yanti’s home, Lugembe was there.

Leng said that Yanti admitted to selling drugs while Lugembe refused to cooperate with the police. The woman told the police that Lugembe provided cocaine for her to sell and she received 100 patacas for each deal. The duo tested positive for drugs and, according to Leng, the Judiciary Police believe that they had been selling drugs to patrons at night entertainment venues in Avenida do Almirante Lacerda and Rua de João de Araújo neighbourhood for about a month.

The duo were transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) yesterday, facing charges of selling and taking drugs, according to Leng. - Camy Tam, THE MACAU POST DAILY