A Malaysian pilot has been arrested in Indonesia after allegedly smuggling more than 70,000 ecstasy pills into the country while operating a scheduled passenger flight from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta.
Indonesian authorities said the 39-year-old pilot, identified only by his initials MS, was detained at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport after customs officers discovered approximately 26 kilograms of MDMA in his luggage. A subsequent drug test reportedly showed he had methamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine in his system, raising concerns that he had been under the influence while flying the aircraft.
Investigators believe the pilot was acting on behalf of an international drug trafficking syndicate. According to police, he admitted he had previously transported narcotics and was promised 50,000 Malaysian ringgit (around US$12,000) for the latest delivery. If convicted under Indonesia’s strict narcotics laws, he could face life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Malaysia Airlines confirmed it is cooperating fully with the investigation and has launched an internal review, reiterating its zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct.