Indonesian police arrested a 39-year-old Malaysian pilot from Malaysia Airlines after finding over 25 kilograms of drugs hidden in his luggage at Jakarta's international airport. The haul included more than 70,000 ecstasy pills, along with methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Urine tests showed the suspect had used multiple drugs. He admitted to smuggling drugs on two previous occasions. If convicted, he could face the death penalty under Indonesian law.
Indonesia's National Criminal Investigation Agency revealed that officers detained a 39-year-old Malaysian pilot identified only by the initials MSBO after he attempted to smuggle a large quantity of drugs into the country via Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta. The arrest occurred Tuesday evening (28 Jul) after he arrived from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and passed through baggage screening at Terminal 3's international departures.
Police Colonel Ego Hadi Santoso, director of the narcotics enforcement unit, stated that customs officers detected suspicious items on an X-ray scan, prompting a search of the suspect's luggage. Inside, they found 14 large packages containing 70,114 ecstasy pills weighing a total of 25,194.83 grams (approximately 25.2 kilograms). Additionally, 2.74 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia with methamphetamine residue were discovered.
Authorities also confiscated other items including the suspect’s Malaysian passport, identity card, driver's license, an iPhone, a shoulder bag, and a pilot uniform.
During interrogation, the suspect admitted he was hired by a coordinator in Malaysia who paid him 50,000 Malaysian ringgit (approximately 408,700 Thai baht) to transport drugs to Jakarta. Upon arrival in Indonesia, another individual, believed to be in Malaysia, would provide a meeting location for accomplices to collect the drugs at a hotel or the suspect’s residence.
The suspect further confessed to previously acting as a drug courier twice: first transporting methamphetamine to Malaysia's Sabah state, and second smuggling 7 kilograms of methamphetamine into Jakarta. The latest attempt involved ecstasy and methamphetamine but ended with his arrest.
Police reported that the suspect’s urine test was positive for several substances, including methamphetamine (meth), MDMA, the active compound in ecstasy, and cocaine.
Local media and police added that the suspect worked as a pilot for an international airline. Investigations revealed he had drugs in his system while piloting passenger aircraft. The suspect is currently detained at Indonesia's National Criminal Investigation Agency’s control center for further questioning.
He has been charged under Articles 113(2), 114(2), and 132(1) of Indonesia’s Narcotics Law No. 35 of 2009, which impose severe penalties for producing, possessing, and trafficking large quantities of drugs. In serious cases, the court may impose the death penalty.
Indonesia is among the countries with the strictest drug laws worldwide and maintains the death penalty for serious drug offenses, though executions have been rare in recent years.
/New Straits Times/ANTARA/ AFP /Reuters