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A Malaysia Airlines pilot has been arrested in Indonesia after authorities allegedly discovered more than 57 pounds of ecstasy and a quantity of methamphetamine in his luggage upon arrival at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK).
According to Indonesian police, the 39-year-old Malaysian national, identified only by the initials MS, had just arrived on Malaysia Airlines Flight MH 727 from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) when customs officers flagged his suitcase during an X-ray inspection. Investigators said they recovered approximately 70,000 ecstasy pills, along with a separate package containing methamphetamine. Authorities also alleged that the pilot tested positive for methamphetamine, ecstasy, and cocaine following his arrest.
Police claim the suspect told investigators he had been recruited to transport the drugs to Jakarta in exchange for 50,000 Malaysian ringgit (approximately $11,700) and was awaiting further instructions after checking into a hotel. Authorities also allege he admitted to participating in two previous drug deliveries. The pilot is being investigated under Indonesia’s strict narcotics laws, which allow for severe penalties including the possibility of the death penalty for large-scale drug trafficking offenses.
Malaysia Airlines wishes to reiterate that it does not tolerate any form of misconduct and is currently undertaking an internal review of the matter.”
Malaysia Airlines said it is cooperating with investigators while conducting its own internal review of the incident. In a statement, the airline emphasized that it maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward misconduct and that the safety, security, and integrity of its operations remain its highest priorities.
Indonesian customs officials described the case as particularly unusual because it allegedly involved a member of an airline flight crew whose baggage is typically handled through procedures separate from those used for regular passengers. Authorities believe the trafficking operation may have attempted to exploit those crew privileges.
Anthony’s Take: Asia is not the place to smuggle drugs (not that any place is) with such strict laws. I have to wonder what pilots are paid that he would risk his career for $11,700.
(Image Credits: Malaysia Airlines.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
1 comment
I think this is the first time I’ve ever heard of a pilot doing that, not sure what kind of checks they have at airports, but from the way they move around it seems to be not so difficult