A SPECIAL anti-narcotics operation at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has led to the arrest of 13 suspected drug mules and the seizure of more than RM21 million worth of narcotics, highlighting continued attempts by international syndicates to use Malaysia as a transit point for drug trafficking into Europe.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) director Commissioner Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the arrests were made during Ops Khas KLIA, conducted between July 27 and 31.
The operation uncovered nine separate trafficking attempts involving five Malaysian nationals and eight foreign suspects aged between 18 and 53.
"A total of 260.08kg of marijuana buds and 1.01kg of cocaine were seized, with the estimated value placed at RM21.26 million," he said during a press conference at the Selangor police contingent headquarters on Tuesday.
Police believe the drugs entered Malaysia through land and maritime routes before being prepared for export to Europe.
Investigations found that the foreign suspects had entered Malaysia only briefly, typically remaining in the country for between three days and one week while staying in accommodation near the airport before receiving instructions from the syndicate.
"Most were going to fly to the United Kingdom based on their tickets. They would start there before connecting to other countries in Europe, with the key destinations being the United Kingdom and France," Hussein said.
He said the findings indicated that transnational drug syndicates remained determined to exploit Malaysia as a departure point despite repeated enforcement successes at KLIA.
"There may be some laxness that is being exploited by the syndicates to traffic drugs out through the airport even though many seizures have been made in the past. However, these attempts are still being detected, and I believe there are also those that may have got through without our knowledge," he said.
Hussein said the latest operation underscores the need for sustained vigilance and enhanced cooperation among enforcement agencies to disrupt international trafficking networks and strengthen airport security against evolving smuggling methods. - August 4, 2026
