Another Malaysian Pilot Arrested Over Malaysia Airlines Second Officer Drug Smuggling Case

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A second pilot has been arrested in connection with the alleged drug-smuggling syndicate linked to a Malaysia Airlines pilot detained in Jakarta

The latest suspect, a Malaysian pilot in his 30s who works for a different airline, was arrested in the Klang Valley two days ago, according to authorities.

His arrest brings the number of people arrested in Malaysia in the case to seven, with the six others arrested from Langkawi, Penang, and Selangor.

Police are now looking into whether his alleged role amounts to money laundering while also investigating the syndicate's international links.

Here's what police have revealed about the latest suspect and his alleged role in the network

According to Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan, investigators believe the pilot was involved in moving money between the drug syndicate and the Malaysia Airlines second officer, who is facing the death penalty in Indonesia.

"Investigations revealed that the second pilot was allegedly involved in the flow of cash between the syndicate and the second officer," he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.

The pilot allegedly managed money obtained from the sale of drugs and channelled the proceeds through him.

"He managed the money obtained from the sale of drugs. The money was channelled through him. In other words, he was involved in managing proceeds from the sale of drugs," Hussein said.

He also confirmed that investigators had found indications of international links involving the syndicate.

The latest arrest follows the detention of six Malaysian men between 20 and 28 August

The six suspects, aged between 23 and 50, were arrested after Malaysian narcotics investigators questioned the Malaysia Airlines second officer in Jakarta and obtained information about the alleged drug network.

Police believe the six men acted as suppliers and transporters for the second officer, occupying both "upline" and "downline" positions within the alleged distribution network.

They were subsequently detained under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985.

With the latest arrest, seven people have now been detained in Malaysia in connection with the investigation.

The case centres on the 39-year-old Malaysia Airlines second officer who was arrested at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta in July

Indonesian authorities allegedly found 15 packets containing about 70,000 ecstasy pills and methamphetamine, weighing approximately 25kg and estimated to be worth RM45 million.

Following his arrest, a team of four NCID officers travelled to Jakarta from 11 to 15 August to question him and exchange information with Indonesian authorities.

Information obtained during those sessions subsequently helped Malaysian police identify and arrest suspects believed to be connected to the alleged syndicate.

The latest arrest suggests the investigation has now expanded beyond those allegedly involved in supplying and transporting the drugs to include the movement of money generated from their sale.