International drug syndicates are increasingly exploiting last-minute and peak-hour airport check-ins in an attempt to slip drug mules past security and enforcement authorities, according to Bukit Aman.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said syndicates deliberately choose busy travel periods, believing the heavy flow of passengers could reduce the likelihood of detection during screening.
“One of their common tactics is checking in at the last minute or during peak hours,” he said when contacted today.
Hussein said intelligence gathered by the NCID showed airports remain the primary transit point for drug mules linked to international syndicates, although ports and land borders are also being used through different smuggling methods.
He said enforcement agencies continue to monitor evolving smuggling trends while strengthening security measures, intelligence gathering and inspections at all national entry points to prevent drugs from entering or leaving the country.
According to Hussein, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has become a preferred transit hub for international drug syndicates, particularly those using foreign tourists as unsuspecting drug couriers, due to Malaysia’s strategic position as a regional aviation hub.
He said syndicates are also adopting increasingly sophisticated tactics, including luring victims with fake employment offers, complimentary holiday packages and attractive financial rewards before persuading them to transport suspicious items.
“In many cases, victims are unaware they are carrying illegal drugs. Narcotics are concealed in luggage, clothing, personal belongings and, in some instances, hidden inside the body through body packing techniques,” he said.
Hussein urged the public to remain alert and reject suspicious offers, stressing that travellers should never carry items belonging to other people without first confirming their contents.
He warned that individuals found involved in international drug trafficking offences could face severe punishments, including life imprisonment or even the death penalty in certain countries.
