INTERNATIONAL drug trafficking syndicates are increasingly using Malaysia as a transit hub to move illicit substances to overseas markets, including Europe, with Customs foiling four operations that yielded 722.9kg of drugs worth RM42.827 million.
The seizures, involving cannabis, MDMA, methamphetamine and ketamine, were made by the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) Narcotics Branch between July 7 and 21.
Customs director-general Datuk Seri Amran Ahmad said four suspects, aged between 30 and 40, were arrested, comprising three Malaysians and a Vietnamese national.
“The drugs are believed not to be intended for the local market, but Malaysia was used as a transit location before they were sent to other destinations, including the European market.
“The syndicate used various locations and modus operandi to evade the authorities, including concealing the drugs with commercial goods,” he said at a press conference at the JKDM Narcotics Branch headquarters in Kampung Jijan in Nilai on Friday.
The largest seizure was made on July 21 when Customs officers, acting on information from the General Directorate of Narcotics Control under Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior, raided a warehouse in Section 27, Shah Alam.
The operation uncovered 505.6kg of ketamine worth RM25.28 million concealed in commercial boxes mixed with cocoa powder.
“An inspection of the warehouse found 119 silver-coloured plastic packages containing chunks and white powder believed to be ketamine,” said Amran.
A local man in his 30s was arrested at the premises and has since been charged in court.
Amran said investigations found that some of the drugs appeared to have originated from Spain and the Netherlands before being routed through Malaysia to other markets.
“The syndicate deliberately used Malaysia as a transit route to avoid detection by the authorities.
“They use Malaysia as a transit location or drug market. We take this matter seriously and will investigate and cripple these activities based on the information received,” he said.
The second operation, on July 8, involved a raid on a house in Bandar Botanic, Klang, where Customs seized 160.6kg of cannabis flower worth RM12.84 million.
“The house, located in a gated and guarded area, was believed to have been used to store the drugs.
“Five suspects were arrested in the raid and one of them was charged with drug trafficking,” Amran said.
A day earlier, Customs officers raided a warehouse in Meru, Klang, and seized 51.4kg of cannabis flower worth RM4.11 million.
“The drugs were concealed in commercial boxes mixed with chilli paste, diapers and dried food. The case is still under investigation,” he said.
The third case involved a parcel intercepted at the Pos Malaysia International Hub at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on July 9.
Amran said Customs officers subsequently detained two Malaysians together with the parcel in Ukay, Ampang, after checking the address stated on the consignment note.
“The parcel contained 3.3kg of MDMA and two kilogrammes of methamphetamine worth a total of RM587,500.
“Four foreigners were subsequently detained at a house linked to the address stated on the consignment note,” he said.
Investigations found that the drugs were allegedly concealed in a specially modified “folder bag” believed to have been shipped from Europe and declared as a leather handbag.
Two of the suspects detained have since been charged in court.
Amran said JKDM was working closely with the Royal Malaysia Police’s Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN) and foreign enforcement agencies to exchange intelligence and combat international drug trafficking.
He said such cooperation was not new, as Customs regularly liaised with other enforcement agencies to obtain and share intelligence.
All four cases are being investigated under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which upon conviction carries the death penalty or life imprisonment and whipping of not less than 12 strokes. - September 4, 2026
