Airline pilot caught smuggling 70,000 ecstasy pills 'likely' on drugs while flying
An audacious Malaysia Airlines pilot was apprehended at an Indonesian airport after being caught trying to smuggle drugs in his suitcase - and apparently, it's not the first time he's done it.
The suspect, who has only been identified by the initials MSBO, was also allegedly under the influence when he was busted by customs officials at the Soekarno–Hatta International Airport in Tangerang.
Authorities have since released CCTV footage showing the moment that his alleged smuggling scheme was rumbled as border staff stumbled across his stash of illegal substances during a search.
The pilot - a 39-year-old Malaysian national - was taken into custody last Tuesday (28 July) shortly after he collected his luggage from the baggage carousel in Terminal 3.
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Surveillance footage from inside of the airport shows that after stepping off of flight MH727 from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta, MSBO grabbed a large silver suitcase before making his way to a controlled customs checkpoint.
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Airport staff had noticed that this piece of luggage appeared to be suspicious during an X-ray screening and monitored who picked it up.
According to Indonesia's Customs and Excise office, the pilot was then 'routed by a risk assessment officer', despite 'initially being directed to the special fast track for flight crew'.
"Customs officers continued to monitor his movements and profile based on risk analysis," it said. "Based on the results of this analysis, officers directed the suspect to undergo a further inspection of his luggage."
The pilot was then subjected to a thorough search of his luggage - which is when customs agents found a huge haul of illegal substances hidden inside his case.
Police in Indonesia said they found 14 large packages which contained more than 70,000 ecstasy pills, which tipped the scales at around 26 kilograms (57lbs).
A package containing four grams of methamphetamine was also discovered in the suitcase, along with a small bottle of urine.
Officials reckon that the pilot brought this along with him so he was 'prepared to falsify urine test results if required'.
While being quizzed by investigators, MSBO alleged that he was being paid 50,000 Malaysian ringgit (around £9,065) to transport the ecstasy pills into Jakarta.
The pilot claimed that he had been instructed to then head to a local hotel, where the drugs would have been collected by another individual.
Eko Hadi Santoso, the director of narcotics crimes at the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency, said that MSBO also admitted that this wasn't his first rodeo.
He is alleged to have confessed to transporting drugs on two other occasions - including a delivery of methamphetamine to Sabah, Malaysia.
The pilot also told investigators that he had previously smuggled 7 kilograms (15lbs) of methamphetamine to Jakarta.
Officials suspect pilot 'likely used drugs while flying to Indonesia'
Santoso said during a press conference on Friday (31 July): "He has been named a suspect and detained. Investigators are still conducting further inquiries to develop the network above him."
Officials alleged that tests revealed that the pilot - who arrived in Indonesia after flying a plane carrying around 170 passengers, according to the South China Morning Post - was under the influence at the time of his arrest.
"The pilot tested positive for MDMA, ecstasy, methamphetamine and cocaine is his urine test," Hengky Tomuan Parlindungan Aritonang, head of the Soekarno-Hatta Airport Customs and Excise, told reporters on Friday.
"This means he likely used drugs while flying to Indonesia."
MSBO remains in custody amid the ongoing investigation and is being held under Indonesia’s narcotics law. The nation takes a notoriously tough approach to drug crimes, and the country doles out heavy penalties for those who supply, possess, and even use drugs. Those found guilty could face the death penalty.
Malaysia Airlines announced it had launched its own internal investigation and said it is working alongside authorities amid the probe into the pilot's alleged drug smuggling.
"Malaysia Airlines wishes to reiterate that it does not tolerate any form of misconduct and is currently undertaking an internal review of the matter," the travel firm said.
LADbible has contacted the airline for further comment.
The South China Morning Post also reported that a security screener employed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has been identified as a person of interest in wake of MSBO's arrest.
Indonesian narcotics chief Hussein Omar Khan told local media on Tuesday (4 August): "We will call him in for questioning and, if required, make the necessary arrest."
The pilot's baggage passed all checks before the flight departed, leading investigators to believe the pilot might have had inside help.
One airport chief explained: "AI assists the process, but the final decision rests with the screening officer."
Topics: Travel, Drugs, Crime, World News
Olivia Burke