- A Malaysia Airlines pilot was arrested at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport for allegedly smuggling 25kg of MDMA and some methamphetamine.
- On Monday (Aug 3), a 22-year-old Malaysian man was arrested at Juanda airport's Terminal 2 after arriving on a Batik Air flight from Kuala Lumpur.
- Authorities found 990g of methamphetamine and 1,089 ecstasy pills concealed under a corset wrapped around the suspect's body.
- The suspect was reported to have told investigators he agreed to work as a courier for an international drug network because he was struggling financially and had accumulated debts.
- Juanda Naval Air Base commander Col Henoch Nasairus Virzawan stated that the suspect tried to conceal the narcotics under his corset to avoid inspection, but the attempt was foiled.
- Authorities estimated the drugs had a street value of around Rp2.79bil (US$155,000) and could potentially have reached up to 6,584 illicit drug users.
- The suspect and drugs were handed to Sidoarjo municipal police for further investigations; if found guilty, he faces five to 20 years in jail, life imprisonment, or the death penalty.
- On Tuesday (Aug 4), it was reported that three Malaysians were arrested at Hat Yai Railway Station for attempting to smuggle 87kg of syabu concealed in three wheeled suitcases and three backpacks.
A Malaysian pilot was arrested at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta for allegedly attempting to smuggle 25kg of MDMA (ecstasy) and methamphetamine. This incident follows the arrest of a 22-year-old Malaysian in Surabaya, who was found with 990g of methamphetamine and 1,089 ecstasy pills concealed under a corset.13
The Surabaya suspect, who arrived on a Batik Air flight from Kuala Lumpur, reportedly confessed to being part of an international drug network due to financial struggles and debts. Authorities estimated the street value of the seized drugs at around Rp2.79 billion (US$155,000), enough to serve 6,584 users.2
Jakarta Globe reported that the suspect's attempt to hide the narcotics was thwarted by airport security. Col Henoch Nasairus Virzawan, commander of Juanda Naval Air Base, stated, “The suspect tried to conceal the narcotics under the corset he was wearing to avoid inspection. However, the attempt was foiled.”5
If convicted, the Surabaya suspect faces a prison sentence of five to 20 years or even the death penalty. This incident is part of a larger trend, as three other Malaysians were arrested in Thailand for attempting to smuggle 87kg of crystal methamphetamine on July 31.78
“Officers at Surabaya's Juanda airport found 990g of methamphetamine and 1,089 ecstasy pills under a corset after the 22-year-old arrived on a Batik Air flight from Kuala Lumpur. He told investigators debts drove him to courier for an international drug network, and he faces up to 20 years, life, or death if convicted.”
The Star
