JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Five Malaysians arrested for concealing five kilograms of cocaine in their shoe soles at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo, Japan, on Oct 10 are believed to be drug mules paid RM8,000 each.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the suspects, aged between 19 and 26, were each given the shoes by a drug syndicate that is still being identified.
"We believe they (the suspects) were aware of what they were carrying, which is an illegal substance," he told a press conference at the Johor Contingent Police Headquarters here today.
He said police are investigating whether all suspects were directly involved in the syndicate and if they previously travelled to other countries using the same modus operandi.
He added that initial checks showed none of the five suspects has a criminal record.
Hussain said all suspects, including a married couple, were believed to have travelled to Japan for vacation before being detained by authorities.
"The group was led by the woman's husband, and she invited her friends for a trip to Japan, with each given a pair of shoes that had been pre-stuffed with drugs," he said.
He said that another Malaysian, not arrested in connection with the case, is a travel agent and has been cleared as not involved.
Hussain previously said checks confirmed the group departed from Terminal 2 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
Japanese customs authorities found the drugs inside the shoe soles worn by all the suspects.
He said the NCID has sent a team to Japan to investigate and gather details of the case.
On the drug seizure in Laos, he confirmed that the illicit substances transported on a private jet were ordered by two Filipino nationals.
He said police are working with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to track down the individuals and syndicate involved.
He also said the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) are awaiting confirmation on whether the syndicate involves politicians in the Philippines, as reported by the media there.
On Oct 1, Laotian police seized 521 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine inside a Learjet private aircraft that arrived from Subang at Luang Prabang International Airport in Laos.
Following the incident, 13 individuals, including Malaysian, Singaporean and Philippine nationals, were detained by Laotian authorities to assist investigations into the transnational drug trafficking case.
On Oct 7, police arrested a local man, the owner of the private jet, during a raid at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport.
-- BERNAMA