From Malaysians allegedly caught with cocaine hidden in their shoes in Japan to a private jet carrying more than 500kg of methamphetamine in Laos, several major drug cases with Malaysian connections have made headlines recently.
Some involved Malaysians arrested overseas, while others saw police uncover suspected drug syndicates operating locally and across international borders. Here are six cases that have been making headlines and the latest developments surrounding them.
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1. Japan: 5 M’sians Arrested Over Cocaine Hidden in Shoes
Five Malaysians, comprising two men and three women aged between 19 and 26, were arrested at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on 10 October after Japanese authorities allegedly discovered 5kg of cocaine worth approximately RM3.1 million concealed inside their shoe insoles.
According to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), six Malaysians had travelled from KLIA Terminal 2 to Japan on 9 October, but only five were arrested. The sixth individual has since returned to Malaysia.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said Malaysian police would send investigators to Japan to gather information about the arrests and identify the suspected syndicate behind the operation.
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2. Laos: 521kg of Meth Seized from Private Jet Previously in Subang
On 1 October, authorities in Laos seized a staggering 521kg of crystal methamphetamine from a private jet at Luang Prabang International Airport, with 13 individuals detained in connection with the case.
Although the aircraft had previously departed from Subang, Selangor, Malaysian police clarified that the drugs were loaded in Laos, not Malaysia, and were believed to be destined for Manila, Philippines.
In an update on 14 October, police revealed that they had identified individuals suspected of involvement in the syndicate, including a Filipino former pilot believed to have chartered the aircraft and a Filipino woman suspected of coordinating the operation.
Malaysian authorities are working with their international counterparts as investigations continue.
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3. Indonesia: M’sian Pilot’s Detention Extended Over Jakarta Drug Case
A 39-year-old Malaysian pilot arrested at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on 29 July has had his detention extended by another 30 days.
He was detained over an alleged attempt to smuggle approximately 25kg of suspected ecstasy and methamphetamine pills, reportedly worth RM45 million.
On 3 October, Malaysian police confirmed that Indonesian authorities were continuing their investigations. Another pilot and six individuals suspected of being linked to the same syndicate were also detained in Malaysia.
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4. Op Tebuan: Suspected Drug Mule Was Bound for London via Singapore
Under Op Tebuan, police arrested seven suspects during raids in Perak, Selangor and Kedah between 1 September and 4 October.
The operation began when police intercepted a foreign national near Sultan Azlan Shah Airport in Ipoh with 26.2kg of cannabis allegedly intended to be smuggled to London via Singapore.
Further raids led to the discovery of more drugs, bringing the total reported value of seizures under Op Tebuan to RM18.16 million.
Police believe the syndicate recruited couriers to transport drugs overseas, reportedly offering payments of between RM5,000 and RM20,000.
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5. Op Plekoptera: 5 Foreign Nationals Charged After Major Ketamine Seizure
Five foreign nationals were arrested during raids around the Klang Valley in September under Op Plekoptera.
Police seized approximately 38.33kg of ketamine and 38g of cannabis, with a reported combined value of RM1.92 million.
Investigators believe the syndicate used modified bags and recruited couriers to transport drugs from India into Malaysia. The five suspects were subsequently charged in court on 6 October.
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6. Op Tongkol: Shopping Mall Car Parks Allegedly Used for Drug Handovers
Three Malaysian men were arrested during raids in Selangor on 1 October under Op Tongkol.
Police seized 111.74kg of methamphetamine and 0.44kg of heroin, reportedly worth RM5.6 million.
Investigators believe the syndicate used shopping mall car parks around the Klang Valley as handover points for drugs.
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Police Continue Investigations into Drug Syndicates
The three local operations, Op Tebuan, Op Plekoptera and Op Tongkol, were announced together by Bukit Aman on 9 October. They resulted in 15 arrests and drug seizures reportedly worth RM25.68 million.
Meanwhile, investigations into the cases in Japan, Laos and Indonesia are ongoing, with Malaysian authorities working alongside their overseas counterparts to identify those involved and uncover suspected international drug trafficking networks.
What do you think should be done to tackle drug trafficking and prevent more Malaysians from getting involved in international drug syndicates? Share your thoughts in the comments!
