AUSTRALIA has arrested eight Malaysians for smuggling drugs through Malindo Air, Australian media reported today.

Bukit Aman’s Narcotics Crime Investigation Department also confirmed the arrests.

A department source said the Australian police operation received help from the Malaysian police.

However, the source said the identity of the eight individuals could not be revealed as the case was ongoing.

“Yes, I can confirm that the operation took place in Australia. We exchanged information about the syndicate and the arrests were made there.

“At the moment, nothing can be revealed as the arrests were made by (Australia). If they have not revealed them, we can’t either,” a high-ranking source from the Anti-Narcotics Department said today.

Australian media reported that two Malindo Air air hostesses were among those arrested in the raid.

Malindo Air said it will issue an official statement regarding the incident, without elaborating.

The Australian Border Force was today reported to have crippled a drug syndicate that smuggled in A$20 million (RM59 million) worth of drugs into the country.

Its commander, Craig Palmer, reportedly said that the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and Border Force had carried out raids on a number of properties across Melbourne last week.

According to the report, police raided properties in Richmond, Southbank, Sunshine North and Melbourne on January 7 and 8, seizing heroin worth A$14.5 million (RM42.9 million), methamphetamine worth A$6.4 million, drug paraphernalia, a Porsche Macan, a Mini Cooper and cash.

Police arrested four women two aged 47, 46 and 38 and four men aged 46, 42, 30 and 26.

All eight appeared before Melbourne magistrates’ court. 

Six were remanded and two were bailed to reappear on May 15. – January 16, 2019.