SHAH ALAM: Police have foiled two drug trafficking operations and arrested seven suspected mules following the discovery of suspicious luggage at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) late last month.
Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the first incident on April 28 resulted in the arrest of four foreign suspects aged 18 to 27 after four bags were flagged at Terminal One.
"Checks showed that the bags contained around 67.2kg of suspected marijuana buds, kept in plastic bags. It is estimated that the drugs were worth around RM5.4mil," he told a press conference here on Friday (May 8).
"Three of the suspects tested positive for drugs while the fourth did not. They have all been remanded for further investigations."
The second case at the same location on April 30 saw a 20-year-old foreigner arrested after two of his bags were flagged after a security scan.
"Checks showed 59 packs of suspected ganja buds weighing around 29.5kg, estimated to be worth around RM2.4mil.
"He also tested positive for drugs and is under remand," Comm Shazeli said.
Follow-up investigations led to a raid on a house in Kota Warisan, Sepang, where two other foreigners aged 19 and 25 were arrested.
Four more bags containing around 60kg of marijuana buds were seized, Comm Shazeli added.
It is estimated that the seizure was worth around RM4.8mil.
Investigations showed that all the suspected drug mules were trying to leave the country and were paid "exorbitant fees" to make each trip, Comm Shazeli added.
"They were paid in foreign currencies. Investigations showed that the amount differs but it was quite lucrative for them.
"In pound sterling, it was around £5,000 (RM26,546.81) per trip.
"In total, we seized approximately 156.7kg of drugs worth around RM12.6mil in the two cases," Comm Shazeli said, adding that police believe the drugs were sourced from a neighbouring country.
"Do not fall prey to offers to be drug mules.
"Refuse any request to carry baggage belonging to other people without knowing the contents.
"Do not be swayed by offers of high pay because there are serious legal consequences," he stressed.
