Indonesia’s Directorate General of Customs and Excise (Bea Cukai) has released closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showing the movements of a 39-year-old Malaysian pilot arrested last week for allegedly attempting to smuggle about 25 kilograms of MDMA (ecstasy) through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta.
The video, published on Bea Cukai’s official Instagram account on Monday, shows the pilot, dressed in his airline uniform, collecting a large silver suitcase from the baggage carousel while pulling a black luggage bag before walking through the arrival hall towards the customs checkpoint.
According to the narration accompanying the video, the suspect entered a fast-track lane designated for flight crew before customs officers directed him to a secondary inspection room after he was flagged through a risk profiling process.
The footage then shows customs officers opening the silver suitcase, removing clothing and personal belongings before discovering several brown packages concealed beneath the luggage lining.
Close-up footage captured officers examining and removing the packages while questioning the suspect during the inspection.
The video concludes with officers displaying a small bottle of liquid, which the narration claimed was fake urine allegedly intended to manipulate the results of a drug screening test.
Indonesian authorities announced during a press conference on Friday that the Malaysian pilot was arrested on July 29 after allegedly attempting to smuggle approximately 25 kilograms of MDMA, estimated to be worth around Rp60 billion (approximately RM13.5 million) based on the exchange rate of Rp1 million to RM225.20.
Authorities also alleged that the pilot tested positive for MDMA, methamphetamine and cocaine, had previously smuggled drugs into Indonesia, and exploited the special baggage handling system for airline crew by concealing the drugs beneath clothing inside luggage bearing a crew baggage tag.
Preliminary investigations further revealed that the suspect was allegedly promised RM50,000 to carry out the smuggling operation, while investigators continue searching for the alleged mastermind behind the syndicate.
Meanwhile, the Embassy of Malaysia in Jakarta confirmed on Monday that it had been granted consular access to the Malaysian citizen and had contacted his family.
Separately, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) reaffirmed its commitment to supporting enforcement agencies in safeguarding Malaysia’s borders against illegal activities.
The airport operator said it is prepared to provide any assistance required in the ongoing investigation and will continue working closely with the relevant authorities.
