Tokyo:Five Malaysians were arrested at Haneda International Airport last Saturday after Japanese authorities discovered 5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in their shoe insoles.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan stated that six Malaysians aged 19 to 26 had departed from Terminal 2 of Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Friday. Out of them, five were detained in Tokyo, while one returned to Malaysia.

The Japanese authorities informed about the arrest of two men and three women at Haneda International Airport. Customs officials found the cocaine hidden in the shoe insoles of all the suspects. The NCID has since identified the six individuals, five of whom are Sarawakians, and noted that none had a criminal record.

Hussein mentioned that the NCID plans to send a team to Japan to carry out investigations and gather information regarding the detentions, focusing on the drug syndicate networks involved in Malaysia and internationally. Japanese authorities are also investigating the source of the drug supply and the international drug-smuggling network.

The public is urged to be cautious of holiday offers that involve carrying bags or belongings for others overseas. Hussein also advised against accepting or carrying items with unknown contents to avoid becoming unwitting drug mules.