Two German men could be facing the death penalty in Malaysia over drug trafficking charges.

An unnamed official from the Malaysian customs department said the two men were arrested on New Year's Day for allegedly smuggling illegal drugs into the country. The men were arrested at the Kuala Lumpur airport with more than 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of methamphetamine in their luggage. A Moroccan man was also arrested.

Malaysia is known for taking a very hard line with drug smugglers. Drug trafficking convictions carry a mandatory death sentence by hanging.

So far, none of the three men has entered a plea on the charges.

Malaysian officials are generally on high alert when it comes to drug trafficking. According to the news agency AFP, authorities at the Kuala Lumpur airport seized around 195 kilograms of drugs and held more than 30 people in 2011.

In the first two weeks of 2012 alone, a total of six foreigners were arrested in Malaysia for trying to smuggle drugs into the country.

Author: Matt Zuvela (AFP, dpa)
Editor: Martin Kuebler