Malaysia Airlines pilot flew passenger jet while on drugs, arrested in Jakarta with 70,000 ecstasy pills

The arrest at Soekarno-Hatta

A 39-year-old Malaysian pilot, identified only as MS, was arrested late on Wednesday evening, 29 July, shortly after landing a Malaysia Airlines passenger flight from Kuala Lumpur at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Customs officers discovered 14 packages containing more than 70,000 ecstasy tablets in his checked suitcase, along with four grams of methamphetamine in his hand luggage. An earlier Reuters report put the seized MDMA at 26 kilograms. The flight number indicated the aircraft belonged to Malaysia Airlines, though airport customs did not initially name the carrier.

Drugs in his system

A urine test administered after the arrest returned positive for methamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine. Hengky Tomuan Parlindungan Aritonang, a senior customs official, told a press conference that the pilot was therefore under the influence of all three substances while operating the aircraft.

“The results of his urine test came back positive for meth, MDMA and cocaine. This means he was under the influence of these substances during the flight.”

He added that the fact the man was a professional pilot who had just flown a plane from Kuala Lumpur to Indonesia was deeply alarming.

Confession and syndicate links

During initial questioning, the pilot admitted this was his third attempt to smuggle drugs across borders: once in Malaysia and twice in Indonesia. He told investigators he had been offered 50,000 Malaysian ringgit (about $12,240 or €10,600) to deliver the narcotics to Jakarta, where another person was supposed to collect them immediately after his arrival. Awaludin Amin, an officer with Indonesia's national drugs crime unit, described MS as a courier working for an international trafficking syndicate. Police strongly suspect he is part of a wider network and have charged him under the country's narcotics laws.

Legal consequences

Indonesia has some of the toughest anti-drug legislation in the world. The charges against the pilot carry a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment. The country has maintained a moratorium on executions since 2016, but around 90 foreign nationals and more than 400 Indonesians remain on death row for drug offences. The last executions were carried out in 2016, when one Indonesian and three Nigerians were put to death by firing squad.

Airline response

Malaysia Airlines issued a statement on Friday saying it takes the allegations seriously and has opened an internal investigation. The carrier stressed it does not tolerate any form of misconduct.

“Malaysia Airlines will extend its full cooperation to the relevant authorities in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.”

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