Malaysian police trace syndicate behind 521kg syabu seizure in Laos on jet from Subang

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — Five Malaysians were detained in Tokyo's Haneda International Airport on Saturday after Japanese authorities discovered 5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in their shoe insoles. The Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) of Bukit Aman, led by Datuk Hussein Omar Khan, reported that six Malaysians between the ages of 19 and 26 had departed from Kuala Lumpur International Airport's Terminal 2 on Friday.

Five were apprehended in Tokyo, with one individual returning to Malaysia. According to Hussein, the Japanese authorities informed the NCID about the arrests of two men and three women at Haneda International Airport on October 10, 2026. The Japanese Customs discovered the cocaine hidden within the insoles of the suspects' shoes.

Hussein stated that the NCID had identified the six individuals, all of whom are Sarawakians and have no criminal records. He revealed that the NCID would dispatch a team to Japan to investigate the matter further and gather information on the detentions, including the drug syndicate networks involved in Malaysia and internationally.

Hussein emphasized that the Japanese authorities are currently investigating the source of the drug supply, the syndicate members involved, and the international drug-smuggling network. He advised the public to exercise caution regarding holiday offers, especially those necessitating the transportation of bags or belongings for others overseas.

Hussein also warned against accepting or carrying items with unknown contents to prevent being unknowingly utilized as drug mules.