SHAH ALAM: A syndicate is believed to be using Chinese nationals as drug mules to smuggle cocaine from Malaysia to Hong Kong via flights departing from Penang.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said police had detected three cases involving Chinese nationals using the same modus operandi.
He said two individuals were arrested by Hong Kong authorities, while another was detained in Penang.
“They arrived at KLIA before travelling to Penang and boarding another flight to Hong Kong with cocaine,” he said after the NCID evidence disposal ceremony at the Selangor Contingent Police Headquarters here on Monday (Nov 2).
Comm Hussein said investigations found that the operation was believed to be orchestrated by a syndicate which arranged the movement of the drug couriers.
“They were provided with passports arranged by the syndicate and are believed to have been travelling overseas for the first time,” he said, adding that police were investigating whether others were involved.
He believed the syndicate's network was much wider, and investigations were ongoing to uncover the smuggling operation.
Earlier, it was reported that a 25-year-old Chinese national was arrested at Hong Kong International Airport after 2kg of cocaine was found in his checked luggage.
The drugs were believed to have been obtained from an unidentified individual at a supermarket in Penang, with the suspect promised a RM1,200 reward.
In a statement on Friday (Oct 23), Hong Kong Customs said the suspect was arrested after a search of his checked luggage uncovered the drugs.
The suspect was subsequently charged with one count of trafficking in dangerous drugs, with the case scheduled to be mentioned at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today.
Hong Kong Customs said it would continue to step up enforcement efforts to combat cross-border drug trafficking through intelligence-led operations.
