JAKARTA, Aug 1 — A Malaysian pilot could face the death penalty after being charged with smuggling more than 70,000 ecstasy pills into Indonesia.
The 39-year-old man, identified only by the initials MSO, was detained on Wednesday at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport shortly after arriving from Kuala Lumpur.
Customs officers found 14 packages containing more than 70,000 ecstasy pills in his luggage, as well as four grammes of methamphetamine (meth), believed to be for personal use, in his wallet.
Soekarno-Hatta Airport Customs Officer Hengky Tomuan Parlindungan Aritonang said a urine test also found the suspect tested positive for meth, ecstasy and cocaine.
“The results of his urine test were positive for meth, ecstasy and cocaine. Therefore, during the flight, he was under the influence of drugs,” he told reporters in Jakarta, AFP reported.
Customs authorities did not disclose the airline that employed the suspect, but the flight number indicated that the aircraft he piloted was believed to belong to Malaysia Airlines.
According to Hengky, the suspect was believed to have not expected his luggage to be inspected as he used a special lane for pilots and flight crew, but all individuals remain subject to the same inspection procedures.
In his statement to police, the suspect admitted that this was his third attempt to smuggle drugs, including the second time into Indonesia and once in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Narcotics Crime Unit Officer Awaludin Amin said authorities suspected the man had links to an international drug trafficking syndicate and had been charged with smuggling.
Under Indonesian law, the offence carries the death penalty or life imprisonment upon conviction.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta said it had received notification of the arrest of a Malaysian citizen at the airport and respected the ongoing legal process in Indonesia.
Earlier, the suspect told police that he was promised RM50,000 to deliver the drugs to Jakarta.