AT least 213 Malaysians have been arrested overseas for allegedly acting as drug mules between 2024 and September this year, highlighting how trafficking syndicates are exploiting attractive job offers to recruit young people as couriers.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said young people, college students and graduates were among the main targets, with syndicates offering high salaries, free air tickets, accommodation, travel packages and cash incentives to draw them into drug trafficking.
"According to Royal Malaysia Police records, from 2024 to September 2026, a total of 213 Malaysians were arrested overseas for allegedly acting as drug mules.
"This trend shows that drug trafficking syndicates are increasingly using seemingly attractive jobs and rewards to lure young people into criminal activities that actually involve extremely serious legal and personal safety risks," he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said syndicates were also increasingly exploiting social media, e-commerce platforms and messaging applications to market drugs, attract customers and coordinate transactions.
Their methods included fake accounts, closed online groups, time-limited communications, e-wallets, cashless payments and courier services, as well as cash-on-delivery arrangements and designated drop-off locations.
Shamsul Anuar said police had intensified online surveillance and investigations, working with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, digital platforms, e-commerce operators and courier companies to monitor suspicious activities around the clock.
He said enforcement efforts would target entire trafficking networks, including their financial operations, rather than focus solely on low-level dealers.
The government was also strengthening cooperation with financial institutions and service providers to trace suspicious transactions and disrupt payment and delivery channels.
Separately, the Home Ministry is studying whether Schedule 1 of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 should be amended to include newly identified new psychoactive substances (NPS) under controlled substances legislation.
On a proposal by the PAS Kota Bharu MP to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Malaysia's drug problem, Shamsul Anuar said the government would consider the suggestion but was unable to provide a definitive response at this stage.
He said the government would continue strengthening international intelligence-sharing, investigations into drug supply sources, surveillance of high-risk locations and border controls. - November 5, 2026
