KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 — The 39-year-old Malaysia Airlines pilot arrested in Jakarta in July over an alleged drug-smuggling operation remains in Indonesian custody after authorities extended his detention beyond the initial 60-day period.

Harian Metro reported today that Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the extension was for another 30 days.

“The Malaysian police were informed by the Indonesian narcotics authorities. The case is still at the investigation and assessment stage,” he was quoted as saying.

He added that the detention could be extended for a further 30 days, based on information provided by Indonesian authorities.

Meanwhile, another pilot and six other individuals arrested in Malaysia over alleged links to the same drug syndicate have been detained for 60 days under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985.

The investigation centres on allegations that the suspects were linked to drug-smuggling activities spanning Malaysia and Indonesia.

The Malaysia Airlines pilot was arrested at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in July after Indonesian authorities reportedly seized 15 packages containing about 70,000 capsules suspected to contain ecstasy and methamphetamine, weighing about 25kg in total.