KUALA LUMPU, MALAYSIA: Six Africans were arrested recently on suspicion of recruiting Malaysian women to be used as drug mules overseas.

Of the six, two have been sent to prison to serve a two-year detention under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1985 (Special Preventive Measures), while the others are still being investigated by police.

Federal Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Zul Hasnan Najib Baharudin said their arrests were the result of investigations by a special task force set up by him two months ago to tackle the drug mule issue.

The task force is headed by Federal Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department deputy director I (intelligence/operation) Datuk Othman Harun.

Zul Hasnan said the six Africans were between 30 and 40 years old and had entered the country using student and tourist visas.

He added that investigations revealed that the international-based drugs syndicate not only targeted Malaysian women but also women from other Asean countries.