A Malaysian pilot was detained in Indonesia on suspicion of smuggling a large quantity of drugs, media write. After a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta, customs officers found 14 packages with more than 70 thousand ecstasy tablets in his luggage, and about four grams of methamphetamine in his hand luggage. The 39-year-old pilot also underwent a drug test, which showed the presence of methamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine in his body. According to the investigation, during the flight he was under the influence of prohibited substances.
Investigators believe that the man agreed to deliver the drugs to Indonesia for a reward of 50 thousand Malaysian ringgit (about 11.7 thousand dollars). During interrogation, he admitted that he had previously transported drugs using a similar scheme.
The pilot has been charged under Indonesian drug trafficking laws. If convicted, he could face life in prison or the death penalty. Malaysia Airlines said it was conducting an internal investigation and cooperating with law enforcement authorities.