Indonesian police arrested a Malaysian co-pilot hired to smuggle over 70,000 ecstasy pills and ice hidden in a suitcase upon arrival at Jakarta airport. Multiple drug types tested positive in his urine. Authorities are rushing to expand the investigation into the drug trafficking network.
On 6 August 2026, Indonesian police arrested 39-year-old Malaysian co-pilot Mohd Shafi Bin Othman, who arrived on Malaysia Airlines flight MH727 from Kuala Lumpur to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta on 29 July. Customs officials discovered 70,114 ecstasy pills packed in 14 bundles weighing about 26 kilograms, along with approximately 4 grams of ice concealed in his suitcase.
Reports state that airport CCTV recorded Othman passing through the arrivals hall, retrieving his luggage, and heading toward customs. Customs officers flagged his silver suitcase for additional inspection after the risk analysis system detected anomalies. They then found the drugs. Authorities also seized a small urine bottle believed to be prepared for swapping samples if drug tested.
After being detained, the co-pilot was handed over to Indonesia’s National Criminal Investigation Agency. Drug tests found methamphetamine, ecstasy, and cocaine in his system. During interrogation, the suspect admitted being hired by someone to transport ecstasy to Jakarta in exchange for 50,000 Malaysian ringgit (about 380,000 baht), with another party expected to collect the drugs at a hotel.
Police further stated the suspect confessed to at least two previous drug smuggling attempts—transporting ice to Malaysia's Sabah state and carrying about 7 kilograms of ice into Jakarta. Authorities are accelerating efforts to trace the drug trafficking network and are investigating whether the operation exploited airline crew travel privileges to evade searches.
Malaysia Airlines said it is fully cooperating with Indonesian authorities and has launched an internal investigation. If proven guilty, the suspect could face the maximum penalty under Indonesian drug laws, including the death penalty for large-scale drug offenses.
Source: AFP