Drug Mules: 213 Malaysians Arrested Overseas Since 2024 - Shamsul Anuar

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- A total of 213 Malaysians were arrested overseas on suspicion of acting as drug mules between 2024 and September 2026, following syndicates’ tactics of targeting young people, including students and graduates of higher education institutions (IPTs).

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the syndicates used offers of lucrative jobs, holiday packages, flight tickets, accommodation and financial incentives to lure their targets.

“At the same time, the syndicates also exploit social media, e-commerce platforms and communication applications to promote, secure customers and conduct drug transactions,” he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He said this in his reply to a question from Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) on the government's integrated measures to tackle drug trafficking syndicates targeting youths and university graduates by offering lucrative incentives to recruit them as drug mules, as well as the latest modus operandi involving the misuse of e-commerce platforms and online marketplaces for drug sales.

Shamsul Anuar said the modus operandi identified included the use of fake accounts, closed and temporary communication groups, cashless payments and e-wallets, as well as courier services involving cash-on-delivery (COD) payments and designated drop-off locations.

To curb such activities, he said the Home Ministry, through the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID), conducted cyber intelligence, monitoring and investigations around the clock in collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), digital platform providers and courier companies.

Based on records, Shamsul Anuar said 47 accounts were blocked in 2025, while another 49 had been blocked as of this year.

“In addition, cooperation with financial institutions, platform providers and courier companies has been strengthened to detect suspicious transactions, block payment channels and deliveries, as well as implement the follow the money approach,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said the government was also examining the need to amend the First Schedule of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 to include newly identified new psychoactive substances (NPS), enabling more effective enforcement action against the emergence of new types of drugs.

He said PDRM would continue to strengthen international intelligence networks, data sharing and cross-border asset tracing, as well as tighten controls at the country's entry points to curb drug trafficking syndicates.

-- BERNAMA