KLIA now a hotbed for drug mules

SHAH ALAM - Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is now fast becoming one of the hotbeds for drug syndicates to move their “products” via drug mules.

This is mainly due to the fact that the first-class airport offers both domestic and international flights.

Selangor police chief Datuk Arjunaidi Mohamed said based on statistics from 2020 to March of this year, a total of 12 individuals - 10 men and two women, including one foreigner - had successfully been detained at KLIA with approximately 27 kg of drugs.

“According to the breakdown, 11 drug mules were arrested in 2020 while another was arrested in March.

“Throughout 2021, the movement control orders (MCO) had put a stop to drug mule activities.

“However, this does not necessarily mean that there weren’t any drug mules during that period, just that they were not caught,” he told Sinar Harian.

When asked why people became drug mules, he said, they were usually hired by syndicates and paid a hefty RM2,000 to RM3,000 per delivery, depending on the distance or the amount of drugs they need to transport.

The police found that the delivery locations of such drugs, were ever changing as a bid to evade authorities.

“Among methods used by drug mules are hiding the drugs in the trunk of their cars or in body bags, which are then tied to certain body parts.

“Anyone can be a drug mule and the modus operandi will never stays the same,” he said.

Arjunaidi said these syndicate recruits their victims through various methods including social media platforms where they advertise it as a high paying job.

“Based on interrogations, most drug mules claim they do not know that they were transporting drugs but it is not logical.

“Besides that, it is odd that they do not check their luggages or think that the amount of money they are being paid is suspicious.

“These people are not ignorant but have been deceived by the amount of how much money is in it for them,” he said.

He added that investigations were underway for the police to identify syndicates and masterminds involved, both domestic and foreign networks.

“We believe that these syndicates target any individual that is willing to help them transport the drugs and can easily be influenced.

“The police will continue to strengthen the intelligence at KLIA in particular, with the cooperation of airport security as well as members on duty.

“There is no denying that KLIA is the target location of many syndicates to recruit drug mules apart from other international airports in the country,” he said.

Arjunaidi stressed that action will be taken against those found to be involved or caught red-handed under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.