Selangor: Police have foiled an international drug trafficking attempt with the arrest of seven suspects and the seizure of 247.8kg of cannabis buds worth RM19.82 million at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) this month.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said those arrested comprised one Malaysian woman and six foreign nationals - four men and two women - believed to have been involved as drug mules for separate syndicates. He stated that the arrests occurred on July 11, 13, 14, and 17 during operations carried out jointly by the KLIA District Police Headquarters Narcotics Crime Investigation Division and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad Auxiliary Police after inspections of their luggage.

In total, police recovered 393 packets of suspected cannabis buds from the suspects' luggage. The drugs were believed to be destined for Europe. Shazeli mentioned that three of the foreign suspects tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), while another foreign national was identified as a repeat offender. Initial investigations indicated that the suspects were paid between RM6,000 and RM15,000 for each assignment, with all of them entering Malaysia on social visit passes.

Additionally, police seized foreign currencies in various denominations and two necklaces worth RM3,000. Shazeli urged the public not to become drug mules by agreeing to carry luggage or items belonging to others without knowing their contents, emphasizing that promises of lucrative payments could lead to serious legal consequences.

All suspects have been remanded to assist investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.