A Sarawak wife's husband is believed to be recruiting a drug donkey to Japan.

JOHOR BAHRU, Oct. 16: Five Malaysians arrested along with about five kilograms (kg) of cocaine at Haneda Airport, Tokyo, Japan, on October 10 were believed to be drug donkeys for international syndicates.

Bukit Aman's Director of Drug Crime Investigation (JSJN), Datuk Hussein Omar Khan, said the group consisted of a couple from Sarawak who were believed to have invited their three friends on holiday to the country.

Hussein Omar said police believed the husband of the woman suspect was possibly the mastermind behind the activity.

"They were from Sarawak to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) before boarding a flight to Tokyo. So, we believe they all know what they're bringing.

"They are drug donkeys and were given a reward of RM8,000 per person for carrying a pair of shoes", he told a press conference at the Johor Interstate Police (IPK) Headquarters, here today.

According to Hussein Omar, the review found that five of the individuals involved had no prior criminal record.

"Investigations are still underway to determine whether they have ever been to another country using the same modus operandi or had wider involvement with the drug syndicate in question", he said.

In this regard, he advised Malaysians to be wary of travel offers that involve requests for carrying items such as shoes, bags or other equipment abroad.

He said people should be sure of the contents of every item they bring in to avoid using syndicates as drug donkeys. - TVS