Spike in drug distribution via couriers in first half of 2026

In the first half of 2026, the Malaysian police have reported a significant surge in drug distribution cases involving courier services. During this period, there were 57 instances of drug distribution via couriers, nearly matching the 65 cases recorded throughout all of 2025. Bukit Aman's narcotics crime investigation department (NCID) director, Hussein Omar Khan, attributes this rise to the increasing preference of syndicates for courier services to distribute drugs without the need for face-to-face dealings.

According to the data, 16 arrests were made in connection with the 57 cases, resulting in the confiscation of substantial quantities of drugs and illicit materials. The seized drugs comprised 1,347.54kg of crystal methamphetamine, 65.38kg of ketamine, 59.11kg of marijuana, and 58.86kg of ecstasy pills. For liquid substances, police seized 9,887.4 litres of heroin, 4,064 litres of MDMA, and 3.98 litres of cocaine. Additionally, they confiscated about 4.96kg of ketum and two litres of ketum mixture.

Khan highlights that courier services, including prominent logistics brands, express delivery and courier brands, international delivery brands, and other delivery services, are being increasingly utilized by syndicates to move drug supplies without direct face-to-face transactions. The statistics under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 show that deliveries through several prominent logistics brands accounted for the highest number of cases, with five arrests each.

This trend, according to Khan, indicates that the use of delivery services for smuggling is no longer isolated and is now widespread across various delivery platforms and companies.