Three Malaysian women have been detained by Indonesian authorities after suspected drugs were allegedly found concealed in their luggage and shoes at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, in the latest narcotics case involving Malaysians abroad.

Malaysia’s Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the women, aged between 30 and 39 and all from Sabah, were arrested on Monday after Indonesian National Police (POLRI) officers discovered the suspected drugs during an inspection.

According to Hussein, preliminary information indicated the seized substances were hidden inside the women’s luggage and footwear. Indonesian authorities are investigating the case under the country’s stringent anti-drug laws, while Malaysian police are working closely with their counterparts to obtain further details.

The latest arrests come amid a series of recent drug-related cases involving Malaysians in Indonesia and neighbouring countries, raising concerns over the use of Malaysians as alleged drug couriers.

Hussein said Malaysian police would continue cooperating with regional law enforcement agencies to combat cross-border drug trafficking and urged Malaysians travelling abroad to avoid becoming involved in drug syndicates.