KUCHING: Sarawakians, particularly youth, have been urged to exercise greater caution regarding suspicious overseas vacation offers to avoid being deceived into becoming drug mules by international smuggling syndicates.

Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah warned the public not to easily fall for offers of free travel or lucrative payments to carry items belonging to other individuals overseas.

According to her, such incidents are deeply concerning as they involve women and individuals from Sarawak who reportedly have no prior criminal records and were said to be visiting Japan for holiday purposes.

“The public must remain vigilant against invitations to vacation or travel abroad, especially when asked to carry items belonging to others, so as not to become victims as drug mules.

“Do not easily trust promises of lucrative payments without risk to carry illicit substances such as drugs overseas,” she said in a media statement on Thursday.

The call follows the detention of five Malaysians in Japan on October 10 for allegedly attempting to smuggle five kilograms of cocaine concealed inside shoe insoles.

Dato Sri Fatimah, who is also Chairman of the State Level One Stop Committee (OSC) to Tackle Drug and Substance Issues (MIDS), stated that based on information regarding the case, one of the detained individuals reportedly admitted to accepting a monetary offer to transport drugs abroad.

In light of this, she also reminded parents and family members to remain informed and monitor the movements of family members, particularly those receiving vacation sponsorships from unknown parties.

She added that early preventive steps are crucial to ensure more individuals, especially the younger generation, do not fall into drug smuggling activities without realising the risks and legal implications they will face. — UKASnews

Translator: Ryan Lim