Macau authorities found flu pills that could be used to make HK$33 million worth of the drug Ice after they intercepted a mainland man who arrived with seven suitcases on Tuesday.
It is understood to be the first time Macau authorities have come across the use of flu medicine in drug smuggling. Macau requires a permit to import flu tablets, a controlled drug.
The record consignment was being smuggled from Bangladesh to the mainland via Hong Kong and Macau, officials said. The pills were buried in 438 bags of washing powder in the suitcases.
The mainlander was arrested. He was suspected of having received 3,000 yuan (HK$3,683) to smuggle the drugs into Macau.
The haul is believed to be bound for clandestine laboratories in Fujian , where the flu tablets could be used to produce the stimulant drug Ice, a type of methamphetamine.
'There are 166.5kg of tablets, from which about 60kg of pseudoephedrine can be extracted,' a Macau Judiciary Police spokeswoman said.