{
  "id": 14921993,
  "title": "Cocaine in shoes: Invited on vacation to Japan, only to end up as drug mules",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/cocaine-in-shoes-invited-on-vacation-to-japan-only-to-end-up-as-drug",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T09:34:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Vibes",
    "slug": "the-vibes",
    "url": "https://www.thevibes.com/articles/uncategorized/128426/cocaine-in-shoes-invited-on-a-vacation-to-japan-only-to-end-up-as-drug-mules"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Three friends from Sarawak lured their married couple accomplices into Japan on a vacation, only to be caught by Japanese authorities at Haneda Airport with five kilograms of cocaine, according to Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) Director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan. They each received a pair of shoes stuffed with drugs, with the promise of a RM8,000 reward for their role as drug mules. Hussein stated that all five were aware they were carrying illegal substances, and urged Malaysians to be cautious of travel offers that involve carrying items like footwear. The investigation is ongoing to determine if they had prior connections to drug syndicates or had traveled on similar schemes to other countries.",
  "summary": "A MARRIED couple and three of their friends, who were arrested with five kilograms of cocaine at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on October 10, were acting as drug mules. Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) Director, Datuk Hussein O...",
  "key_points": [
    "Three Sarawak friends invited accomplices to Japan for vacation.",
    "Caught at Haneda Airport with 5kg cocaine in drug-laden shoes.",
    "Each promised RM8,000 as drug mule reward; investigation ongoing."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Couple, three friends given cocaine-filled shoes, promised RM8,000 each for Japan trip",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/couple-three-friends-given-cocaine-filled-shoes-promised-rm8-000-each",
        "published": "2026-10-16T10:11:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}