Three suspected drug mules nabbed in KLIA this month

SEPANG: Three individuals believed to be drug mules were detained at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) for attempting to smuggle 6.96kg of methamphetamine worth RM1.3 million this month.

KLIA Customs director Datuk Chik Omar Chik Lim said the three individuals who were detained separately, comprised two women from China and a man from Nigeria, aged between 26 and 34.

In the latest case at 1.50am on Sunday, a woman from China was detained at the KLIA2 for carrying 2.3kg of methamphetamine, valued at RM433,200, in a bag she was carrying.

Meanwhile, another Chinese national was found in possession of 2.6kg of methamphetamine worth RM494,000 yesterday at about 11.40pm at KLIA2.

“Both individuals were flying from Hong Kong. We do not rule out the possibility that they are from the same syndicate even though the suspects do not know each other,” he told reporters.

Chik Omar said the third case involved a Nigerian who was detained at the KLIA after Customs detected 2.08kg of methamphetamine worth RM395,000 hidden in four pairs of jeans, sewn to the hip area, in a bag on Oct 5 at 7pm.

“All suspects have been remanded for seven days and the case investigated under Section 39(B) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 which carries the mandatory death sentence,” he said.

Meanwhile, in another separate case, 500 grammes of methamphetamine valued at RM95,000 was found hidden in two printer cartridges in a parcel from Lagos, Nigeria at the KLIA post godown, on Oct 10.

“The parcel was not claimed and investigations found the address and the name of recipient were fake,” he said.

He said the quantity of drugs seized at KLIA from January to October has increased due to the trend of smuggling in larger quantity even though the number of cases has dropped.

In 2012, there were 50 cases involving 186kg worth RM31 million, in 2013 (49 cases, 246.5kg worth RM33 million) and in 2014 (24 cases, 336.6kg valued at RM54 million). — Bernama