Five Malaysians Detained in Tokyo Over RM3.1 Million Cocaine Smuggling Attempt

Five Malaysians were detained at Haneda Airport in Tokyo last Saturday on suspicion of trying to smuggle about 5kg of cocaine worth ¥120 million (RM3.1 million). They had cleared security when departing Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) but were caught by Japanese authorities during customs checks on arrival.

Cleared KLIA, Caught at Haneda: Five Drug Smuggling Suspects Detained

The group, four men and a woman, allegedly hid the drugs beneath the insoles of their shoes. According to Fuji News Network, customs officers grew suspicious of one suspect after noticing his shoes had very thick soles. 

A search found cocaine under the insoles of two suspects’ shoes, and officers then identified three more people believed to be travelling with them. All three had reportedly used the same method.

TBS News DIG reported that each suspect carried about 1kg of cocaine, with 500g hidden under each insole of the shoes they wore. One suspect reportedly said they were offered RM8,000 through the Telegram messaging app to carry the drugs abroad, and were given a pair of shoes to hide them in.

NHK reported that four suspects admitted the allegations under questioning, while a 25-year-old woman denied them, claiming she did not know the packages contained cocaine.

Tokyo Metropolitan Police are investigating whether the suspects were recruited by a Malaysia-based syndicate for international drug smuggling.