KUALA SELANGOR, Sept 9 — Another local pilot has been arrested to assist in investigations in connection with the detention of a Malaysion co-pilot in Jakarta in July for suspected involvement in an international drug trafficking syndicate.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the Malaysian man, in his 30s, was arrested on Monday (Sept 7) in the Klang Valley.

He added that the suspect was responsible for handling the proceeds of the drug sales.

“So, now we have arrested seven individuals and the suspect (arrested on Monday) is a pilot from another airline,” he told a media conference at an industrial area in Puncak Alam here today.

On Friday (Sept 4), Hussen was quoted as saying that police had arrested six local men suspected of involvement in an international drug trafficking syndicate linked to the arrest of a Malaysian co-pilot in Jakarta in July.

He said the arrests were made based on information obtained from the 39-year-old co-pilot during questioning by an NCID team sent to Jakarta from Aug 11-15.

Media reports previously said the 39-year-old Malaysian co-pilot was arrested by Indonesian authorities at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on suspicion of attempting to smuggle 25 kilogrammes (kg) of drugs.

The Indonesian National Police (POLRI) reportedly found 15 packages containing 70,114 ecstasy pills and methamphetamine, worth an estimated RM45 million.

In a separate development, Hussein said police, based on intelligence gathered, conducted five raids under Op Melanoplus and arrested nine individuals around the Klang Valley on Aug 21.

He said the suspects, including two women, are aged between 19 and 33.

“Police seized various types of drugs, including 61.26kg of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) liquid, ecstasy pills (0.79kg),  cannabis flower (6.09kg), Erimin 5 pills (3.80kg), cannabis (11.13kg), methamphetamine (3.25kg),  cannabis-laced biscuits (870 grammes), ketamine (490 grammes) and MDMA powder (480 grammes).

“Police also seized 959 cartridges of MDMA liquid, with the total value of the drugs seized estimated at RM10.82 million and weighing over 86kg,” he said.

Elaborating, Hussein said one of the suspects was charged under Section 39A(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 on Aug 28, while three others were charged under Section 39B of the same Act on Sept 3.

He added that three other suspects were placed under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985, while the remaining two were released on police bail. — Bernama