World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Five Malaysians arrested over alleged cocaine smuggling at Haneda airport
Japanese police arrested five Malaysian nationals on suspicion of trying to smuggle cocaine into Japan.
Customs inspectors found the drugs at Tokyo's Haneda airport, hidden beneath the soles of the suspects' shoes.
Police say the group carried about 5 kilograms of cocaine, worth an estimated 120 million yen on the street.
The discovery began when inspectors found cocaine in the shoes of two suspects, then police located three others at the airport.
Police suspect the five may have been recruited for the smuggling, after learning they were short of money and had used an anonymous messaging app to contact an unknown person.
Four suspects admitted the allegations, while one denied them.
The five were arrested on Saturday, and the police investigation is continuing.
Five Malaysian nationals were arrested in Japan on suspicion of trying to smuggle about 5 kilograms of cocaine.
The cocaine was concealed beneath the soles of their shoes at Tokyo’s Haneda airport.
Police estimated the drugs’ street value at about 120 million yen, or $758,000.
Four suspects admitted to the charges, while one denied them, police said.
Investigators suspect the five may have been recruited for the smuggling operation.
- Who
- Five Malaysian nationals.
- What
- They were arrested on suspicion of attempting to smuggle about 5 kilograms of cocaine.
- When
- They were arrested Saturday; the article was published on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- Tokyo’s Haneda airport, Japan.
- Why
- Police suspect they were attempting to smuggle cocaine from Malaysia; a motive is not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Customs inspectors found cocaine under the insoles of two suspects’ shoes.
Police arrested the five Malaysian nationals.
- Suspects
- Five Malaysian nationals
- Drug quantity
- About 5 kilograms of cocaine
- Estimated street value
- About 120 million yen ($758,000)
- Concealment
- Beneath the soles of the suspects’ shoes
- Admissions
- Four admitted to the charges; one denied them
Sources
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