KUALA LUMPUR: Three Malaysian women have been detained by Indonesian authorities after suspected drugs were discovered concealed inside their luggage and shoes at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta.
The women, aged between 30 and 39, are from Sabah and were arrested on Monday after arriving on a flight from Kota Kinabalu. The Royal Malaysia Police said they were informed of the arrests by the Indonesian National Police (POLRI).
Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said preliminary investigations revealed that two of the women had previous drug-related records and were known drug users. He added that the quantity of drugs seized was relatively small and is believed to have been intended for personal consumption.
Hussein also clarified that the case is not connected to the earlier arrests involving a Malaysian pilot and a 22-year-old Malaysian man in Indonesia.
According to reports, officers at Terminal 2F of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport uncovered the suspected drugs during an inspection after finding them hidden inside the women's luggage and footwear.
Commenting on the increasing number of drug-related cases involving Malaysians overseas, Hussein said Malaysia's strategic geographical location makes it vulnerable to being used as a transit point by international drug trafficking syndicates.
He explained that many of these criminal networks operate from countries north of Malaysia before moving illicit drugs through the country to destinations such as Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines and several other nations.
To address the issue, the Royal Malaysia Police plans to strengthen security measures and tighten standard operating procedures at all entry and exit points to prevent Malaysia from being used as a transit hub for drug trafficking.
Hussein also highlighted the police's ongoing efforts against drug-related crimes, revealing that authorities seized approximately 89 tonnes of various narcotics nationwide last year. Enforcement operations have continued this year, with nearly 46 tonnes of drugs confiscated during the first six months of 2026.
