Three Malaysian women have been arrested in Indonesia over drug-related offences, marking the latest case involving Malaysians detained overseas on narcotics charges.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) Director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the Indonesian National Police (POLRI) informed Malaysian authorities of the arrests.
The women, aged between 30 and 39, are all from Sabah and were detained at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta on Monday.
Hussein said investigations revealed that two of the women have previous drug-related criminal records and are known drug users.
However, he said the quantity of drugs seized was small and is believed to have been intended for personal use.
He also confirmed that the case is not linked to the recent arrests of a Malaysian pilot or a 22-year-old Malaysian man in separate drug smuggling cases in Indonesia.
Earlier reports stated that airport officers at Terminal 2F intercepted the three women after discovering drugs concealed inside their luggage and shoes following their arrival on a flight from Kota Kinabalu.
Commenting on the growing number of Malaysians arrested overseas for drug offences, Hussein acknowledged that Malaysia’s geographical location has made it a key transit point for international drug trafficking syndicates.
He said most of the syndicates operate from countries north of Malaysia, using the country as a transit route before smuggling drugs into Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, and other destinations.
To address the issue, Hussein said the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will strengthen standard operating procedures (SOPs) at the country’s entry and exit points to prevent Malaysia from continuing to be used as a drug transit hub.
Meanwhile, Hussein revealed that the NCID seized 89 tonnes of various types of drugs nationwide last year as part of its ongoing crackdown on cross-border drug trafficking.
He added that enforcement efforts have remained strong this year, with nearly 46 tonnes of drugs seized during the first six months of 2026.
