Free trip turned drug trap
Malaysian police have arrested 12 individuals involved in an international drug trafficking syndicate that used foreigners as drug mules. Authorities seized 418kg of cannabis hidden in luggage at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Why it matters
The bust highlights the ongoing issue of human exploitation in international drug smuggling and the effectiveness of airport security measures in intercepting large-scale trafficking.
SHAH ALAM: Promised jobs and free holidays turned into a trap for foreigners recruited as drug mules, as police busted several international trafficking syndicates and seized 418kg of cannabis worth RM33.4mil.
A total of 12 people – a local man, four foreign men and seven foreign women – were detained at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and around Sepang.
Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the 10 raids, conducted between Aug 28 and Sept 21, involved eight cases at KLIA terminals and two around Sepang.
“We seized 671 plastic packets containing compressed chunks believed to be cannabis, with a total estimated weight of 418kg and a value of RM33.4mil.
“Also seized were two vehicles and foreign currencies worth a total of RM37,700,” he told a press conference at the state police headquarters yesterday.
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