A Malaysia Airlines pilot has been arrested after allegedly attempting to smuggle around 57 pounds of drugs into Indonesia.
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Authorities identified the suspect only as a 39-year-old Malaysian national with the initials MS. Investigators have also accused him of "likely using drugs while flying."
Surveillance footage released by Indonesia's Directorate General of Customs and Excise shows the pilot arriving at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, where officers detained him on July 29.
Pilot Arrested With 70,000 Ecstasy Pills
Customs officials flagged the pilot at a controlled checkpoint and selected his luggage for inspection.
After entering a fast-track lane reserved for aircraft crew, an officer pulled him aside as several additional customs workers arrived.
Footage appears to show one officer removing a large package filled with suspected illegal drugs from the pilot's luggage.
Authorities later determined that he was allegedly carrying 70,000 ecstasy pills weighing approximately 57 pounds, along with four grams of methamphetamine.
The pilot reportedly told investigators that someone had promised him 50,000 Malaysian ringgit, around $12,200, to transport the drugs into Jakarta.
Authorities Allege Pilot Used Drugs Before Flight
Investigators said the pilot had been instructed to check into a local hotel after landing to complete the alleged transaction.
He also reportedly admitted to previously delivering methamphetamine to Sabah, Malaysia, before later transporting around 15 pounds of the drug to Jakarta.
Authorities further accused him of being under the influence of narcotics while operating the flight.
"The pilot tested positive for MDMA, ecstasy, methamphetamine, and cocaine in his urine test. This means he likely used drugs while flying to Indonesia," Hengky Tomuan Parlindungan Aritonang, Head of the Soekarno-Hatta (Soetta) Customs and Excise Main Service Office, said.
"We also found the drug evidence in his luggage. We suspected this was for his personal use. And it turned out true as his urine test conducted by the Indonesian National Police (INP) Medical Center turned out positive."
Officers also seized a small bottle of urine, which they suspect the pilot intended to use to falsify future drug test results.
The pilot had been operating Malaysia Airlines flight MH272 from Kuala Lumpur with at least 170 passengers aboard.
Malaysia Airlines said it is cooperating with authorities and has launched an internal review.
If convicted under Indonesia's strict drug laws, the pilot could face life imprisonment or the death penalty.
