Singaporean pilot, 12 others detained over half-tonne meth haul on private jet in Laos

A Singaporean pilot was among 13 people arrested in Laos after more than half-tonne of suspected methamphetamine, or Ice, worth millions was allegedly found aboard a private jet that had flown in from Malaysia.

It was believed to be bound for the Philippines.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Hussein Omar Khan said the chartered aircraft departed from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang to Luang Prabang in Laos without carrying any cargo, the New Straits Times reported on Tuesday (Oct 6).

He said the flight from Subang carried only three individuals comprising a Singaporean pilot, a Malaysian co-pilot and a Filipino passenger.

The Star reported that among the 13 detained included three women and seven employees of the Luang Prabang International Airport.

"The seized drugs were meant for the Manila market and not the Malaysian market. The aircraft departed from Subang Airport without any cargo before it was believed to have been used to transport the drug shipment from Laos to Manila," Hussein said in a statement.

According to The Star, Lao authorities had received a tip-off on Sept 21 about a suspected cross-border drug-smuggling operation involving a private aircraft.

Hussein said the aircraft arrived at Luang Prabang International Airport at about 11.30am local time on Oct 1.

At about 1.30pm, two vehicles arrived at the airport, and several airport staff allegedly helped transfer 23 bags from the vehicles onto trolleys to be loaded onto the aircraft.

"An inspection of all 23 bags uncovered 500 packages of drugs suspected to be methamphetamine weighing 521kg," Hussein said.

Bernama reported that the seized aircraft was a Learjet with the registration number N73GP. 

The Star, citing a Lao police report, said officers became suspicious after two vehicles arrived at the airport and airport staff moved the 23 suitcases through an X-ray machine and onto the aircraft.

Hussein said the Royal Malaysia Police has launched a comprehensive investigation and will send NCID officers to Laos to record statements from the suspects.

"This move aims to obtain further information regarding the drug syndicate involved, particularly (on the possible involvement of syndicate members) in Malaysia," Bernama quoted Hussein as saying.

In response to AsiaOne’s queries on Subang Airport's security, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) said passengers travelling on private jets undergo security screening by its Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel at the Skypark Business Aviation Centre, while aircraft crew and staff are screened by operators' trained security personnel.

MAHB added that it works with Malaysia's border control agency (AKPS) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to strengthen security safeguards across its operations.

AsiaOne has contacted the Singapore Embassy in Vientiane and NCID for more information.

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helmy.saat@asiaone.com