THE Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) has thwarted four separate attempts to smuggle more than a tonne of cannabis, valued at nearly RM100 million, in operations conducted recently around the Klang Valley and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1.
KLIA Customs Director Zulkifli Muhammad said the seizures were made possible through swift action by JKDM’s Enforcement Division, working closely with other security agencies including the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS).
Five Malaysian men have been arrested and are being investigated under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
“These four cases involved attempts to smuggle cannabis flowers abroad, particularly to European markets, using various concealment tactics, including disguising the drugs as commercial goods,” Zulkifli said in a statement today.
In the first case, on 1 October, a local man was detained at KLIA Terminal 1 after being flagged for unpaid duties and taxes. A search of his baggage led to the discovery of 21.04kg of cannabis, with an estimated value of RM2.06 million.
“The suspect has since been charged in court,” Zulkifli added.
The second case, on 27 September, involved a major seizure at KLIA’s export checkpoint, where officers uncovered 21 packages containing 220.32kg of cannabis worth RM21.59 million inside a courier lorry en route to the KLIA Free Zone for export to a European destination.
On 29 and 30 September, in the third case, raids at two logistics warehouses in Shah Alam and Subang Jaya led to the seizure of 52 boxes from four separate consignments. The total weight of the drugs was 464.58kg, with an estimated value of RM45.53 million.
The fourth case, on 3 October, involved the interception of 294.35kg of cannabis at the KLIA Free Zone export checkpoint. The drugs, worth RM28.85 million, were concealed in 28 trade packages inside another courier lorry.
Zulkifli said the syndicates behind the second to fourth cases employed similar methods, hiding cannabis in boxes labelled as premium towels and sealing them in vacuum-packed plastic to evade detection.
“Four men, including a courier lorry driver and the owners of the logistics warehouses, have been detained to assist with investigations into the last three cases,” he said.
He added that JKDM remains committed to tightening controls at all major entry and exit points nationwide to combat smuggling attempts via international courier and logistics networks. - October 9, 2025
