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Four suspects linked to the Malaysia Airlines pilot drug-smuggling case fled the country after learning that the pilot had been arrested in Indonesia, according to police
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said six suspects have been arrested in Malaysia, with four of them having fled overseas before eventually returning.
Two fled to Thailand, while another two fled to Vietnam. Police arrested the six suspects between 20 and 28 August.
"The four [suspects] were found to have fled the country — two to Thailand and another two to Vietnam," Hussein was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.
The two who fled to Thailand were arrested after returning to Malaysia by ferry through Kuah in Langkawi, Kedah, while the two who fled to Vietnam were arrested after returning through Penang International Airport (PIA).
The other two suspects were arrested in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, and Klang, Selangor. All six suspects, aged between 23 and 50, are being detained to assist with further investigations.
File photo of the Penang International Airport (PIA).
Image via BernamaPolice are investigating the wider drug network
Hussein said some of the findings from the investigation would be shared with the Indonesian National Police (POLRI) for further action.
The six suspects are being detained under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985. Under the law, police can detain suspects for up to 60 days to complete their investigations before a further detention order is issued.
The arrests are part of the Malaysian investigation into the alleged drug trafficking operation involving the Malaysia Airlines second officer.
The 39-year-old Malaysia Airlines second officer was arrested at Terminal 3 of the International Arrivals Hall at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, after arriving from Kuala Lumpur on flight MH727
Indonesian Customs officers detected his luggage as suspicious during an X-ray scan at about 11.30pm on 28 July. After he claimed the luggage, officers directed him to an examination room.
A search uncovered 14 packages containing 70,114 ecstasy pills weighing about 25kg in his luggage, along with 4g of methamphetamine in his hand luggage. The drugs were estimated to be worth about RM45 million.
Indonesian police said the pilot had allegedly been promised RM50,000 to transport the drugs to Jakarta, where another person was expected to collect them from a hotel.
The pilot remains in Indonesian custody while Malaysian police investigate the wider network allegedly connected to the case.
