Kuala lumpur: A total of 14 Malaysians were arrested abroad for carrying drugs through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in the first seven months of this year, involving the seizure of 73.17 kilogrammes of drugs worth RM5.5 million. Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan revealed the arrests involved 14 cases, comprising 11 men and three women.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the countries involved were Taiwan with six cases, the Philippines with two cases, Indonesia with three cases, Hong Kong with one case, Macau with one case, and Maldives with one case. This information was disclosed during a press conference on the NCID's success in dismantling an international drug trafficking syndicate.

Hussein reported that the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) had also thwarted attempts to smuggle drugs through KLIA, arresting 51 individuals in 41 cases during the same period. The 51 arrests involved individuals from 13 countries, with United Kingdom passport holders accounting for the highest number at 14, followed by Malaysia with 12, Singapore with eight, and France with five.

From these arrests at KLIA, 1.2 tonnes of drugs worth RM97 million were seized, highlighting PDRM's success at the airport. Hussein pointed out that based on a comparison between the amount of drugs seized by the PDRM at KLIA and the amount successfully taken out of the country, about six per cent were subsequently detected by foreign authorities.

Hussein emphasized the importance of vigilance among Malaysians, warning them against being easily deceived by syndicates offering various incentives. He reiterated this message in media sessions to ensure citizens remain alert and do not fall victim to drug syndicates.