International drug trafficking ring originating in Spain

Malta Police drug squad has smashed a international drug trafficking ring originating in Spain after capturing two young Malaysian women smuggling drugs through the Malta International Airport a few weeks ago.The case was kept under wraps by local authorities as the two women were also charged in Maltese Courts 'behind closed doors'. But the story was exposed in the Malaysian press which reported how Malaysian women are being lured by a Spanish drug syndicate to act as drug couriers in Europe. The Malaysian Star identified the women as Azura Maizura Alias, 21, from Pulau Pangkor in Perak and Dayang Sakienah Mat Lazim, 20, from Bukit Payung in Terengganu. the women were kept detained in a house in Madrid Spain which was heavily guarded by armed men. The women had their passports taken from them and some were even beaten up and raped. They would then be dispatched to certain countries to smuggle drugs and be used in money laundering activities.Azura Maizura was caught trying to smuggle 2 kilogrammes of cocaine through the Malta Airport and is reported to have pleaded guilty to charges on drug smuggling. She is liable to get a nine year jail term.Dayang Sakienah, who was caught on 27 January was charged with conspiring in drug trafficking and involvement in money-laundering after she was found carrying a EUR45,000 receipt. Two other victims of this drug ring have also been detained in Brazil and Mexico.“According to the source, the (drug) syndicate has made Madrid its operations centre in Europe and recruits Malaysian women to carry drugs to countries around the globe, including Brazil, Australia, Mexico and China,”