Seized: Comm Mohd Shuhaily (left) showing photos of the luggage at the press conference in KLIA. — LOW LAY PHON/The Star
SEPANG: It was a multi-million drug deal made on TikTok.
Four people were asked on the social media platform to transport bags filled with cannabis buds to Manchester in Britain.
They were paid between RM8,000 and RM11,000 each for the job.
However, the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) were on alert.
The suspects – two couples in their 20s – were arrested after the drugs were found inside their four bags at Penang International Airport at about 8.15pm on Nov 3.
AKPS director-general Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the smuggling attempt was detected when one of the couples was not allowed to board a flight, and their luggage was rescanned.
“We detected the drugs and also detained the other couple as all four of them had checked in for the flights together.
“We discovered 86kg of cannabis worth RM8.3mil in the four bags they had,” he told reporters at the airport.
Initial investigations revealed that the four had accepted an offer on TikTok.
“We believe the suspects were drug mules and have handed them over to the Customs Department for further action,” he told a press conference at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
He advised the public not to be easily fooled by online job offers that promise lucrative rewards in a short time.
“Don’t ever transport bags or luggage that do not belong to you.
“A job which requires someone to transport bags is definitely a red flag,” he cautioned.
Comm Mohd Shuhaily also said incidents of drug mules, especially the young, was very unfortunate.
“One of the suspects works in the oil and gas industry, another is an e-hailing driver while two others have their own businesses,” he said.
On another matter, he said the AKPS will start recruiting military veterans in stages next year.
He said the intake is expected to begin in January when funds allocated under Budget 2026 become available.
Previously, he said veterans bring two critical advantages – proven discipline and extensive experience in national security and defence.
“I believe these qualities will not only help strengthen operational capability, but also reduce training costs and overall operating expenditure,” he added.
The recruitment will follow a contractual model similar to that of the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), which has successfully deployed veterans for nearly four years, he said.
“It is not a permanent civil service appointment,” Comm Mohd Shuhaily clarified.
During his Budget 2026 speech, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that priority would be given to appointing officers from among military veterans to meet the manpower needs of 220 positions required by AKPS.
