Kuala lumpur: Three Japanese men were detained by the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) yesterday on suspicion of attempting to smuggle 12 kilogrammes of drugs worth an estimated RM2.4 million into the country. The suspects had arrived from Bangkok, Thailand, before being arrested.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the incident occurred at about 1.45 am at the International Arrivals Hall of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1. AKPS officers detected a suspicious image during baggage scanning, which led to the discovery. Upon conducting a physical inspection of one of the six suitcases and several backpacks, officers found a substance believed to be cocaine, concealed by covering the packages with anchovies and dried shrimp and vacuum-packing them to evade detection.

Further checks on all the luggage confirmed that all six bags contained prohibited items, namely cocaine, concealed using the same method. The suspects were detained on suspicion of committing an offence under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. The case has been handed over to the Royal Malaysian Customs Department's Narcotics Division for further investigation.

The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening security surveillance and inter-agency cooperation to ensure that the country's entry points remain safeguarded from smuggling threats, particularly those involving dangerous drugs.