‘They were aware’: Bukit Aman on five Malaysians held in Tokyo with cocaine in their shoes

JOHOR BAHRU, October 16 — Five Malaysians, aged between 19 and 26, were arrested at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo, Japan, on October 10 for concealing five kilograms of cocaine in their shoe soles. Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan revealed that the suspects were likely drug mules paid RM8,000 each by an unidentified drug syndicate.

Hussein confirmed that the suspects were aware of the illicit nature of their action, stating that police are investigating their involvement in the syndicate and any previous international travels using the same method. None of the suspects had a criminal record as per initial checks. The group, led by a married woman, had traveled to Japan for a holiday before being detained.

Hussein said another Malaysian, a travel agent, was not involved in the case. The suspects were found to have arrived from Kuala Lumpur International Airport's Terminal 2. The NCID has dispatched a team to Japan for further investigation. Regarding the separate drug seizure in Laos, Hussein confirmed that two Filipinos ordered the drugs, which were transported on a private jet.

The Royal Malaysia Police are collaborating with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to identify the individuals and the syndicate involved. Laotian authorities detained 13 individuals, including Malaysians, Singaporeans, and Filipinos, following the October 1 seizure of 521 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine on a Learjet aircraft.

On October 7, police arrested the owner of the private jet during a raid at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport.