PETALING JAYA: A team of investigators will depart for Japan to probe the arrest of five Malaysians in a drug smuggling case, including possible links to local and international syndicates.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the team would gather further information on the arrests.
He said Japanese authorities were also investigating the source of the cocaine, identifying those involved and tracing the smuggling network.
He said the department was informed by Japanese authorities that two men and three women had been arrested at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Oct 10 after 5kg of cocaine was found concealed in their shoe insoles.
“Checks on travel records showed that six Malaysians had departed together from KL International Airport Terminal 2 for Haneda on Oct 9 for a holiday.
“However, only five were arrested. Another person has returned to Malaysia,” he said, adding the sixth individual had also been identified.
Comm Hussein said all six travellers are aged between 19 and 26, and none had any criminal records.
He advised the public to be wary of holiday offers, particularly those involving requests to carry bags or belongings for others when travelling overseas.
He also reminded the public not to accept or transport items without knowing their contents, to avoid being exploited as drug mules.
Members of the public with information on drug-related activities can contact the NCID hotline at 012-208 7222.
Japanese media had earlier reported that the suspects had 500g of drugs concealed in each shoe.
One of them claimed he was offered RM8,000 for the task.
Total drugs seized was estimated to be worth ¥120mil (RM3.1mil).
