A Malaysian airline pilot arrested in Indonesia over a drug haul worth an estimated RM45 million is believed to have used his flight schedule to smuggle illegal substances out of the country on several occasions since 2024.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said preliminary investigations indicated that the 39-year-old suspect had transported drugs to several overseas destinations during previous trips.
“This was not the first time, as he had transported drugs to several countries on several occasions,” Hussein said when contacted.
The suspect’s alleged activities were uncovered during questioning by NCID officers in Jakarta, Indonesia, where investigators gathered information about his links to several drug trafficking networks operating across Malaysia and other countries, including Indonesia.
Hussein said the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is now working to identify and locate other members of the syndicate while also tracing the proceeds believed to have been generated from the drug trafficking operation.
Relevant information has also been shared with international law enforcement agencies as authorities continue efforts to dismantle the wider network.
Addressing how the suspect allegedly managed to pass through security checks at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Hussein said investigators found no evidence that he had received help from an insider.
“We are satisfied that there was no involvement of an insider in the process of the suspect passing through security checks at KLIA. However, the modus operandi used cannot be disclosed to avoid compromising the ongoing investigation,” he said.
Hussein also thanked the Indonesian National Police (POLRI) for its cooperation throughout the investigation, particularly during the questioning of the suspect, which was completed on Friday, August 14.
He had previously confirmed that Malaysia would not seek the pilot’s extradition, meaning the suspect will have to face the legal process under Indonesian law.
The case came to light after Indonesian authorities arrested the Malaysian pilot at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on July 29 over allegations that he was attempting to smuggle 25kg of drugs.
According to POLRI, officers discovered 15 packages containing 70,114 ecstasy and methamphetamine capsules during the inspection. The drugs were estimated to be worth around RM45 million based on Indonesian market prices.
