A current Malaysia Airlines pilot flew an international route while high on drugs and was caught at an Indonesian airport trying to smuggle a large quantity of narcotics.
According to the Associated Press on the 1st (local time), Indonesian police arrested a 39-year-old Malaysian national, identified as A, a Malaysia Airlines pilot, at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta on suspicion of violating narcotics laws.
On the night of the 29th, at the airport's international arrivals terminal, customs officers found a suspicious suitcase while X-raying luggage. An investigation found that the bag was claimed by A, a Malaysia Airlines pilot who flew from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta.
A detailed search by customs uncovered about 70,000 ecstasy pills and methamphetamine packed in 14 large packages in the suitcase. The total weight of the seized drugs was about 26 kg.
Eko Hadi Santoso, Director General of the Indonesian National Police Criminal Investigation Agency's Narcotics Crimes Directorate, said A tested positive for methamphetamine, ecstasy and cocaine, raising suspicion the flight duties were performed while under the influence of drugs.
During questioning, A reportedly said he was instructed by someone else to carry the drugs to Jakarta in return for 50,000 Malaysian ringgit (about 17.67 million won).