AKPS foils attempt to smuggle 86kg of ganja worth RM8.3 million to Manchester, arresting four Malaysians recruited via TikTok.
SEPANG: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency has foiled an attempt to smuggle 86kg of ganja worth RM8.3 million to Manchester, United Kingdom.
Four Malaysians in their 20s from Johor were arrested at Penang International Airport last Monday.
AKPS director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the suspects comprised two men and two women.
They were detained after one couple’s luggage was re-scanned by airline staff when denied boarding.
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“Both couples had travelled from Johor to Penang by bus and stayed at several hotels in George Town before preparing to depart to Manchester,” he told a press conference.
Mohd Shuhaily said further inspections led to the arrest of the couple, plus two others who had checked in earlier for the same flight.
“The first couple managed to board their flight to Manchester as promised, while the second pair later realised that their tickets only went as far as Singapore,” he explained.
Airline staff then contacted AKPS officers to accompany the second couple to retrieve their luggage.
Scans at the arrival hall revealed suspicious items later confirmed as ganja.
“Initial investigations showed that all four suspects admitted to accepting job offers via the TikTok app to transport ‘goods’ while travelling, with promised payments of between RM8,000 and RM11,000,” he said.
All suspects are believed to have been duped into becoming drug mules.
They are currently held at the Penang Customs State Prevention Complex for further investigation.
The case has been handed to the Royal Malaysian Customs Department’s Narcotics Division.
It is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Mohd Shuhaily urged the public to remain vigilant against dubious online job offers.
He specifically warned against offers involving overseas travel or dealings with unknown individuals. – Bernama
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