Malaysian narcotics investigators have uncovered how a Malaysia Airlines pilot arrested with drugs in Jakarta managed to clear security checks at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, along with the local and international drug syndicates linked to the case.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the breakthrough came after two days of questioning the 39-year-old pilot in Jakarta on 12 and 13 August, NST reported.
“The meetings enabled the NCID team to identify the syndicates involved in Malaysia and overseas, as well as individuals involved in the domestic and international drug networks,” Hussein said. “We also obtained information on how the suspect managed to get through checks at KLIA, as well as the financial flows of the drug syndicates in Malaysia and abroad.”
Hussein said information from the pilot would be channelled to drug enforcement agencies in countries linked to the international network, allowing foreign authorities to act on intelligence concerning syndicate members and operations outside Malaysia.
The pilot was arrested by Indonesian authorities at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on 28 July after arriving from Kuala Lumpur. According to The Star, the inspection found 15 packages containing 70,114 ecstasy and methamphetamine capsules, estimated to be worth RM45 million.
Police are investigating a telephone number allegedly used by the syndicate to communicate with the pilot, which is believed to have been registered using false particulars. Investigators have also recorded statements from KLIA Aviation Security personnel, although police said it remains too early to establish or rule out the involvement of any airport staff.
