A SOCIAL media recruitment trail involving RedNote, Telegram and Facebook emerged in the investigation into three Malaysians arrested in Mauritius with 76.14kg of suspected cannabis worth RM9.87 million.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said two of the suspects, a married couple aged 22 and 18 from Penang, were allegedly recruited to transport four suitcases of drugs in exchange for RM1,000 per bag.
He said the couple first made contact with an individual through RedNote before being approached on Telegram to arrange the shipment.
The individual allegedly financed their air tickets and hotel accommodation and instructed them to collect the suitcases in Bangkok before travelling to Mauritius via Dubai.
"They were also instructed to download the Life360 application to enable their movements to be monitored by the individual coordinating the shipment," he said today.
The couple, who had submitted copies of their passports through Telegram, were travelling ostensibly for a five-day holiday at Domaine de Grand Baie Hotel.
Hussein said investigations found that Telegram conversations were deleted or the individual believed to be the syndicate leader had left the group after the arrests.
The third suspect, a 30-year-old man from Sabah who works in Singapore, was allegedly recruited through a Facebook job advertisement before being contacted through Telegram.
He was arrested with 10 plastic packets containing suspected cannabis, while 60 packets weighing about 65kg were found in the couple's luggage.
Apple tracking devices were also discovered inside the suitcases carried by the couple.
All three were arrested at about 2.35pm on Nov 2, shortly after arriving on Emirates flight EK709 from Dubai at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport.
The arrests were conducted by Mauritius' Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU), in cooperation with Customs, following intelligence received.
Hussein said checks found that none of the suspects had previous criminal records.
He said Malaysian police would continue coordinating intelligence with Mauritian authorities to obtain further details and identify possible links to drug trafficking networks connected to Malaysia.
The Mauritius Revenue Authority had earlier confirmed that 70 airtight plastic packets containing 76.14kg of suspected cannabis were seized from the three Malaysians.
The drugs were estimated to be worth 114.21 million Mauritian rupees (about RM9.87 million) based on local market prices. - November 10, 2026
