Tokyo:Five Malaysians were arrested at Haneda International Airport for attempting to smuggle five kilograms of cocaine concealed in their shoe soles. The individuals, aged between 19 and 26, were reportedly paid RM8,000 each by a drug syndicate still under investigation.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Hussein Omar Khan, director of the Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department, stated that the suspects were aware they were carrying illegal substances. Authorities are investigating their potential involvement with the syndicate and any prior international travel using similar methods. Initial checks revealed none of the arrested individuals had previous criminal records.

The group, which included a married couple, was purportedly led by the woman's husband, who invited friends on a vacation to Japan. Each received a pair of shoes pre-stuffed with drugs. Another Malaysian, identified as a travel agent, was not implicated in the smuggling operation. The suspects had departed from Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Japanese customs discovered the cocaine inside the shoe soles of all suspects. The Narcotics Crime Investigation Department has dispatched a team to Japan to further investigate and collect details on the case.

In a separate incident, Laotian authorities seized 521 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine from a private jet at Luang Prabang International Airport. The drugs, reportedly ordered by two Filipino nationals, led to the detention of 13 individuals, including Malaysians, Singaporeans, and Filipinos. Police are collaborating with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to trace the syndicate and investigate possible political connections within the Philippines.