KLIA Remains Major Hub for Drug Smuggling
SHAH ALAM: Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) continues to be a major transit point for large-scale international drug smuggling syndicates.
Most recently, police foiled an attempt to smuggle RM33.4 million worth of cannabis flowers to Europe through KLIA, seizing 418 kilogrammes (kg) of drugs in 10 separate cases.
The seizures, involving 671 packages of compressed drugs, also led to the arrest of 11 foreign nationals and a local middleman believed to be involved in the smuggling activities.
Selangor Police Chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said all the arrests were made between Aug 28 and last Monday following investigations by the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division of the KLIA District Police Headquarters, together with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) Auxiliary Police.
The foreign nationals arrested comprised four men and seven women aged between 17 and 62, who are believed to have been used as drug mules.
“Preliminary investigations found that their modus operandi was to enter the country as tourists using social visit passes before being instructed to carry luggage that did not belong to them when returning home.
“This is one of the tactics used to recruit drug mules, where they are offered payment along with a fully sponsored travel package in this country,” he told a press conference here yesterday.
Shazeli said police also seized various other items during the arrests, including a Toyota Vios, a Perodua Alza and RM37,700 in foreign currency.
“Police checks found that none of the suspects had previous criminal records, while six of them have already been charged under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
“Another six remain in remand to assist investigations, while the local man who acted as a runner was also a drug supplier. However, he has no connection with the other nine syndicates,” he said.
All the suspects are believed to have been involved in drug trafficking syndicates for the first time.
“The public is advised not to be lured by job offers that come with overseas travel packages, which could ultimately result in them becoming drug mules,” he said.
UTUSAN