The AFP has congratulated the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) after it foiled an alleged attempt by a criminal syndicate to smuggle hundreds of litres of heroin and MDMA through Malaysia, with the shipment allegedly bound for Australian shores.
The consignment, which consisted of two shipping containers listed to contain juice boxes and olive oil, was intercepted by the RMP when it arrived in Malaysia on 18 January, 2026.
An inspection of the items revealed the liquid contents to allegedly be about 500 litres of heroin and about 200 litres of MDMA.
This seizure prevented a significant amount of illicit drugs from reaching the Australian community.
In January, 2026, the AFP provided intelligence under the Taskforce Tiger partnership that assisted the RMP investigation to identify the illicit consignment.
AFP Commander Kate Ferry said the RMP Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department investigation and subsequent successful interdiction reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the RMP to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking networks operating across borders.
"This disruption, under Taskforce Tiger, has once again proven crucial, particularly as Malaysia continues to be targeted as a transit hub for drug smuggling operations bound for international markets," Commander Ferry said.
"The strong partnership forged by the AFP and RMP under Taskforce Tiger, highlights how joint intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement efforts can effectively prevent dangerous drugs from reaching all our communities.
"We know Australia is an attractive target for criminal networks to import and supply illicit drugs and criminal syndicates are purely and selfishly motivated by profit and greed."
Commander Ferry said international law enforcement partnerships were a critical tool in the AFP's arsenal and could provide real-time intelligence sharing, joint-agency operations and coordinated efforts to dismantle transnational serious organised crime.
"AFP members are continuing to supercharge global operations and partnerships to harden the environment for organised criminal syndicates who target Australia," Commander Ferry said.
"The harm caused by organised criminal syndicates attempting to import illicit drugs into Australia is significant and extends beyond individual users to a myriad of violent and exploitative crimes and harm to the community."
Taskforce Tiger was formalised during the 92nd session of the INTERPOL General Assembly in Glasgow in 2024 and strengthens the AFP and RMP partnerships to combat illicit drug smuggling through the Malaysian/Australian borders.
Since Taskforce Tiger was formalised, about 2.4 tonnes of illicit drugs have been intercepted in transhipment through Malaysia and prevented from reaching Australian streets.
The AFP has a vast international network of more than 200 AFP officers based across the globe in more than 34 countries, who work to defend and secure Australia.
