Drug syndicates are turning to private jets to smuggle drugs after security controls were tightened at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Malaysian police have said.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department director Hussein Omar Khan said on Thursday (Oct 8) that syndicates had previously explored alternative routes, including Ipoh Airport, before switching to private aircrafts, reported The Star.
Malaysian police have been investigating the alleged use of a private aviation company's services in a drug-smuggling case involving Laos and the Philippines.
On Oct 1, Laotian authorities seized 521kg of suspected crystal methamphetamine from a private jet that arrived at Luang Prabang International Airport from Malaysia, reported the New Straits Times.
Authorities seized 500 packages of suspected crystal methamphetamine weighing a total of 521kg, along with a Learjet and a pickup truck.
Investigations found that the aircraft had departed from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, Selangor, without any cargo before arriving in Laos at about 11.30am local time.
At about 1.30pm, two vehicles arrived carrying 23 bags, which were subsequently transferred onto the aircraft. An inspection found suspected drugs in 21 of the bags, while the remaining two contained personal belongings.
Thirteen people, including the pilot, co-pilot, a foreign tourist and airport personnel, were detained in connection with the case.
Among those detained was a Singaporean pilot, who was arrested alongside a Malaysian co-pilot and a Filipino passenger. The drugs were believed to have been destined for Manila in the Philippines.
Hussein said preliminary investigations found that a private aviation company operating out of Subang Airport was allegedly used to transport the drugs from Laos to the Philippines.
The company's 49-year-old owner was arrested at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport on Oct 7 to assist with investigations.
The company reportedly began operations in July and offers aviation services including flights for very important persons (VVIPs), cargo transportation and medical transfers.
It had received nine bookings since starting operations, most of which were for VVIP and medical flights. The flight connected to the Laos drug seizure was its eighth booking, Hussein said.
He added that police were still investigating whether the owner was involved in the alleged drug-smuggling operation or whether the company's services had been misused by other parties.
The investigation is ongoing.
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