A Malaysian pilot is facing the death penalty in Indonesia after being arrested at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport with more than 70,000 ecstasy tablets and four grams of methamphetamine.
The 39-year-old pilot, identified by his initials MSO, arrived on a flight from Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. Subsequent urine tests revealed he had methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine in his system at the time of the flight.
"The results of his urine test came back positive for meth, MDMA, and cocaine. So, at the time of the flight, he was under the influence," Hengky Tompun Parlindungan Aritonang, an official at the airport customs office, told reporters. "What concerns all of us is that this person's profession is a pilot, and at the time he arrived, he had just flown that plane from Kuala Lumpur to Indonesia."
Customs officials discovered 14 bags of ecstasy and the methamphetamine in the pilot's luggage. He reportedly told investigators that this was his third attempt to smuggle drugs, with previous attempts to Indonesia and Malaysia.
Authorities suspect MSO is part of an international drug syndicate and have charged him with smuggling. Under Indonesian law, the offense carries a penalty of death or life imprisonment. The pilot reportedly stated he was promised approximately 50,000 Malaysian ringgit (about $12,000) to transport the narcotics to Jakarta.
Indonesia is known for its stringent anti-drug laws, including the death penalty for traffickers, though executions for drug offenses have been on hold for several years. The country last carried out such sentences in 2016.
Malaysia Airlines released a statement acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations and announced an internal review, pledging full cooperation with the Indonesian authorities.
