Social media, disappearing messages fuel drug mule recruitment [WATCH]

KUALA LUMPUR: Drug syndicates are exploiting social media and messaging platforms to recruit couriers and using disappearing messages to erase their digital trail and make it harder for authorities to uncover evidence.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the recruitment of drug mules had evolved beyond face-to-face approaches, with syndicates taking advantage of digital platforms to identify and communicate with potential couriers.

He said recruitment could be done through social media, messaging applications and personal contacts, as well as seemingly legitimate offers of employment or overseas travel.

Syndicates were also exploiting disappearing message features, he said.

"Such features can be used to erase conversations and potential evidence if a courier is arrested or investigated."

Hussein said the prospect of making quick money remains the drug syndicates' main tool to entice people into carrying drugs.

"Potential couriers can be offered financial rewards to transport luggage, parcels or other items locally or overseas.

"NCID investigations have encountered both willing couriers and people who claim they didn't know drugs were concealed in their luggage or packages."

He stressed that claims of ignorance would not automatically absolve a suspect.

Hussein said international syndicates could also exploit the relative ease with which Malaysians travel within the region when selecting couriers.

However, he said, nationality alone was not the deciding factor for syndicates when recruiting drug mules.

"Other considerations include the person's reliability, mobility and perceived risk of detection."