A total of 72 Malaysians have been arrested overseas this year in connection with suspected drug offences. Police have issued an urgent warning to the public to avoid being recruited as drug couriers through high-paying job offers and requests to transport goods for other people.
Malaysia's Narcotics Crime Investigation Department said 48 cases were recorded from January through October 15, involving the seizure of approximately 1,704 kilograms of drugs valued at RM81.76 million, equivalent to about US$20 million.
Of the 72 people arrested, the largest number were detained in Thailand, with 19, followed by Indonesia with 16, Taiwan and Singapore with eight each, Japan with five and the Philippines with four. Other arrest locations included India, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Nigeria and Sri Lanka.
The department warned that drug offences carry severe penalties in many countries, including the death penalty for certain offences in Singapore and Indonesia, depending on the applicable law and the facts of each case. Text: Rithy
