BALI: A Malaysian has been arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs hidden in his rectum to the resort island here.

The 23-year-old suspect, whom Indonesian authorities identified as AA, was arrested by Ngurah Rai Airport customs and excise officers on March 11 upon his arrival at the international airport via Thai AirAsia FD 396 from Bangkok.

AA was arrested along with his two Indonesian friends, identified as S, 24, and AP, 25, who also brought drugs into Bali.

The trio appeared suspicious when passing security checks at the customs desk at the airport in Bali.

"X-ray scans showed that there were suspicious things in their bodies and among their belongings," Ngurah Rai customs and excise office head Himawan Indarjono told a press conference on Monday.

Following the X-ray, the police took them to the customs and excise room for a further check, including a body search.

"Customs officers found 36.2g of methamphetamine in AA's bag. A body search yielded three small packets of methamphetamine weighing 36.25 grams, 33.73 grams and 20.73 grams respectively, hidden in his rectum," Himawan said.

A body search on S and AP also revealed drugs hidden in their rectums. Customs seized four small packets of meth, weighing 42.32 g, 44.81g, 39.66g and 38.78g from S.

Officers found four packets of meth on AP, two in her rectum and two others in her vagina. In total she was carrying about 140g of meth.

The three suspects are now facing drug charges and which carry the death penalty upon conviction. – The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network