KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 213 Malaysians were arrested overseas on suspicion of being drug mules from 2024 up to September amid growing efforts by syndicates to recruit young people, the Dewan Rakyat heard.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the syndicates targeted younger people, including students and graduates of higher education institutions, by offering lucrative jobs, holiday packages, flight tickets, accommodation and financial incentives.
He said among the modus operandi identified are the use of fake accounts, closed groups, temporary communications, cashless payments and e-wallets, as well as deliveries through courier services using cash on delivery (COD) arrangements and designated drop-off locations.
"The syndicates also exploit social media, e-commerce platforms and communication applications to promote drugs, source customers and conduct drug transactions," he said during the question-and-answer session on Thursday (Nov 5).
Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Baru) wanted to know the coordinated measures taken to tackle drug trafficking syndicates that target young people and university graduates with lucrative offers.
Takiyuddin also asked about the latest modus operandi involving the misuse of e-commerce platforms and online marketplaces to sell drugs.
Shamsul Anuar said such developments call for a more dynamic, technology-driven enforcement approach, and the ministry, through the Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID), conducts continuous cyber intelligence and enforcement operations.
This includes 24/7 monitoring and investigations in collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), e-commerce platform providers, digital platforms and courier companies.
"Our focus is on detecting online drug trafficking activities, identifying syndicate networks and taking action against related accounts and content.
"A total of 47 accounts were blocked last year, while 49 were blocked this year," he said.
He added that enforcement action is not limited to low-level distributors but also focuses on dismantling the entire supply chain and the financial capabilities of syndicates.
Cooperation with financial institutions, platform providers and courier companies is being strengthened to detect suspicious transactions, block payment flows and deliveries, and implement a follow-the-money approach, he said.
"The government is placing particular emphasis on young people through education, awareness, community mobilisation and other initiatives.
"We have conducted numerous campaigns through school outreach programmes.
"In any case, the government will continue to strengthen intelligence-led enforcement, monitoring of the digital space and efforts to disrupt trafficking networks. This is important to ensure that young people do not become entangled in this problem," he said.
