Malaysian pilot ‘high on drugs’ lands in Indonesia with 70,000 ecstasy pills

Highlights

• Pilot allegedly made three drug-smuggling attempts
• Indonesian law allows death penalty for drug trafficking
• Malaysia Airlines launches internal review into allegations

A Malaysian pilot who allegedly flew a passenger plane to Indonesia while under the influence of methamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine has been arrested with more than 70,000 ecstasy pills, Indonesian officials said on Friday (31 July).

The 39-year-old pilot, identified only by his initials, MSO, was arrested on Wednesday at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport after arriving from Kuala Lumpur, reports AFP.

Airport customs official Hengky Tomuan Parlindungan Aritonang said the pilot's urine test returned positive for methamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine, indicating he may have been under the influence while operating the flight.

"What concerns all of us is that this person's profession is a pilot, and at the time he arrived, he had just flown that plane from Kuala Lumpur to Indonesia," Hengky told reporters in Jakarta.

The airport customs office did not identify the airline, but the flight number indicated that the aircraft belonged to Malaysia Airlines.

Customs officials found 14 bags containing more than 70,000 ecstasy tablets in the pilot's suitcase, along with 4 grams of methamphetamine, believed to be for personal use, in his hand luggage.

Hengky said the pilot may not have expected to be searched in the special customs lane for pilots and crew, but stressed that the same monitoring procedures apply to everyone.

During questioning, MSO reportedly told investigators that this was his third attempt to smuggle drugs - twice to Indonesia and once in Malaysia.

Awaludin, a police official, said investigators suspected MSO of being part of an international drug syndicate. He has been charged with drug smuggling.

Under Indonesian law, drug traffickers can face the death penalty or life imprisonment. Although Indonesia has some of the world's toughest anti-drug laws, including capital punishment for traffickers, the country has maintained a moratorium on executions for several years.

The pilot reportedly told investigators that he had been promised 50,000 Malaysian ringgit, worth just over $12,000, to deliver the narcotics in Jakarta.

Malaysia Airlines said in a statement on Friday that it took the allegations seriously and had launched an internal review.

"Malaysia Airlines will extend its full cooperation to the relevant authorities in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations," the carrier said.

The airline declined to comment further while the Indonesian investigation is ongoing.

There are dozens of foreign nationals on death row in Indonesia for drug offences, with hundreds of people facing capital punishment overall.

Indonesia last carried out executions for drug offences in 2016, when one Indonesian and three Nigerians were executed by firing squad.

In March, two British men were sentenced to nine and 11 years in prison after being convicted of smuggling cocaine onto Bali.

In June, Bali police arrested two Russian nationals for allegedly attempting to smuggle nearly 8kg of hashish onto the resort island.