Indonesian authorities have arrested a Malaysian pilot on suspicion of attempting to smuggle more than 25 kilograms of illegal drugs, including over 70,000 ecstasy capsules, officials said on Friday.
According to Eko Hadi Santoso, director of drug crimes at the Indonesian National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency, the suspect, identified only by the initials MSBO, was detained on Tuesday at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta.
The arrest followed the discovery of a suspicious item during customs screening. A subsequent inspection of the suspect’s luggage uncovered 14 large packages of ecstasy and one package of methamphetamine.
Police said the seized drugs comprised 70,114 ecstasy capsules with a combined net weight of 25,194.83 grams.
Investigators allege the suspect was promised 50,000 Malaysian ringgit (about $12,200) to transport the narcotics and had previously carried out two successful smuggling operations.
A urine test also returned positive results for ecstasy and methamphetamine, according to Santoso.
The suspect remains in custody and is being investigated under Indonesia’s Narcotics Law, which carries severe penalties for drug trafficking offences.