Macau Adds 13 Substances to Drug Control List

Macau’s Legislative Assembly passed an amendment to the territory’s anti-drug law on August 13, adding 13 substances to the controlled substances list through urgent procedures. The amendment to Law No. 17/2009, which prohibits the illicit production, trafficking, and consumption of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, takes effect the day after its publication in the Official Gazette, according to Xinhua News.

The Amendment

The newly controlled substances fall into two categories: six substances that the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs voted to place under international control at its 68th session in March 2025, and seven etomidate analogs that have been controlled in mainland China and Hong Kong due to their frequent use in e-cigarette oil abuse. The bill was introduced by Secretary for Security Chan Chi Seng and completed its full legislative process—introduction, general discussion, and detailed discussion—in a single plenary session on August 13, as documented on the Macau Legislative Assembly website.

Fulfilling International Obligations

Secretary Chan emphasized the urgency of the amendment during the legislative session, stating that it was needed “to fulfill international convention obligations, and also to proactively respond to the risks that new drugs pose to public health.” He noted that the urgent procedure was consistent with past practice, allowing new drugs to be added to the law’s schedule as quickly as possible so that law enforcement agencies have the legal basis to combat related drug crimes.

The six internationally controlled substances were added following the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs’ 68th session, held in Vienna in March 2025. China participated in that session with delegations from the National Narcotics Control Commission, National Health Commission, and National Medical Products Administration, as well as representatives from Hong Kong and Macau, according to the China Anti-Drug Network.

Targeting the “Space Oil” Threat

The seven etomidate analogs represent a more proactive measure. Etomidate and its derivatives have become a significant drug problem in the Greater Bay Area, where they are commonly mixed into e-cigarette oil to create “space oil” (太空油). These substances have similar anesthetic and sedative pharmacological effects to etomidate, carry abuse and dependency risks, and have no known medical uses.

While Macau has not yet detected cases of these seven specific analogs, Secretary Chan explained that mainland China has discovered them as new drugs not under international control. “There is a risk of abuse, and they can produce similar dependency and harm,” he said, adding that the territory needed to take preventive measures in coordination with neighboring regions.

Macau had already controlled etomidate and three of its analogs through self-legislation in 2025. After that control was implemented, three related cases were seized by June 2026, with 594.7 grams of white powder and approximately 4.3 grams of liquid confiscated, according to Macau Daily. All cases were fully solved.

Regional Coordination and Enforcement

The amendment reflects a broader regional approach to drug control. Mainland China’s National Narcotics Control Commission announced on June 17 the control of 16 substances—including difluoroetomidate—under its non-medical narcotic drugs catalog, effective July 1, 2026, as reported by China Economic Net. After this addition, China has controlled 412 non-medical narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, plus three entire categories.

Judiciary Police Director Sit Chong Meng highlighted the intelligence-led enforcement model Macau has adopted, noting that drug trafficking leads are traced to their sources and shared with law enforcement in neighboring regions for coordinated strikes. This approach has helped solve multiple major drug trafficking cases across borders.

Secretary Chan also addressed questions from legislators about e-cigarette oil source control, noting that the police, Economic and Technological Development Bureau, and Pharmaceutical Administration Bureau have maintained long-term collaboration. Given that new drugs are primarily consumed through e-cigarettes, the SAR has already completed relevant legal revisions to block the source at the institutional level.

A Pattern of Rapid Response

This amendment continues Macau’s established practice of using urgent procedures to respond to emerging drug threats. Previous amendments in November 2023 added 16 substances, and an August 2024 amendment added five internationally controlled substances. The consistent approach demonstrates Macau’s commitment to fulfilling its international obligations under drug control conventions while adapting to regional challenges.

The amendment’s focus on substances commonly added to e-cigarette oil highlights the growing intersection between e-cigarette use and drug abuse, a challenge that extends beyond Macau’s borders. As new psychoactive substances continue to emerge, the territory’s ability to respond rapidly through legislative action will remain critical to protecting public health and maintaining synchronized drug control across the Greater Bay Area.

What to Watch

With the amendment set to take effect upon publication in the Official Gazette, enforcement agencies will gain new tools to combat drug trafficking involving these substances. The coming months will show how effectively the expanded controlled list deters abuse and whether further legislative adjustments will be needed as the regional drug landscape evolves.