The Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) today confirmed that a Malaysian pilot detained by Indonesian airport authorities for smuggling drugs had passed all security screenings in Malaysia.
He was later arrested in Jakarta, where he had flown 170 passengers to, for possessing over 70,000 ecstasy pills and 2.7g of methamphetamine.
Speaking at a press conference at KLIA, AKPS director-general Shuhaily Zain revealed that mandatory pre-departure screenings on the 39-year-old and his luggage did not reveal any suspicious elements.
“During the screening, which was carried out as usual using a scanner, the items or bag he was carrying did not produce any suspicious images.
“Therefore, he passed the normal screening conducted by the security authorities at KLIA,” said Shuhaily (above).
“Anyone intending to carry prohibited items may conceal them. It could be the way the items were wrapped that prevented the scanner from detecting them.
“So his modus operandi in wrapping or concealing the MDMA and methamphetamine is something we are still waiting for information on from the police,” said Shuhaily.
When contacted, Soekarno-Hatta Main Customs and Excise Office head Hengky Tomuan Parlindungan Aritonang said the suspect arrested on July 29 at Soekarno-Hatta Airport Terminal 3 is being detained at the Indonesian National Police Criminal Investigation Agency headquarters.
“Our office is cooperating with the police in an ongoing investigation,” Aritonang told Malaysiakini.
Suspect also tested positive for drugs
On Friday, it was reported that the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta is seeking consular access to the suspect, who is facing death row, after preliminary investigations recorded an admission of two past attempts, allegedly part of an international drug trafficking network.
Aritonang further shared a brief video, reportedly taken after the arrest, which appeared to show the suspect being presented with a positive Narcotics Identification Kit-U (NIK-U) test result for the substance retrieved from his possession.
The NIK-U is a preliminary chemical field test used to detect the possible presence of methamphetamine in suspected substances, and a positive reaction is presumptive and can be followed by laboratory analysis for confirmation.
The Indonesian Customs office also previously released CCTV footage that showed a man wearing a pilot uniform apprehended by authorities after an inspection of his two pieces of luggage uncovered the alleged drugs in 14 packages weighing an estimated 25kg, with an estimated value of Rp 60 billion (RM13.6 million).
Based on the footage, the man who tested positive for methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine was believed to have also brought a small bottle containing liquid believed to be urine, which was retrieved from his luggage.
‘No stone will be left unturned’
Meanwhile, Shuhaily added that AKPS had earlier joined a coordination meeting convened by the Transport Ministry.
The meeting was also attended by the Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department director Hussein Omar Khan, representatives from the Civil Aviation Authority Malaysia, Malaysia Aviation Group, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, and other relevant agencies.
“I will take the lead from the police. If the police find any foul play among my officers, I think everyone is already familiar with the way I work. I think no stone will be left unturned,” he stressed.
Hussein, meanwhile, reportedly said Malaysian police are arranging to send a team of investigators to Jakarta to seek further information, including determining the source of the drugs and whether the suspect was acting alone or part of a syndicate.
Different jurisdictions
Separately, Bernama reported that MAHB today reaffirmed its commitment to supporting multi-agency efforts to safeguard Malaysia’s borders against illegal activities, following the pilot’s arrest.
MAHB also clarified that its Aviation Security team implements stringent security protocols and deploys advanced screening systems calibrated to detect explosives, weapons, and other dangerous items that are direct safety threats.
“The baggage handling system at KLIA is designed around these critical security priorities.
“All checked baggage departing through KLIA for both passengers and airline crew are subject to aviation security screening in accordance with established security requirements,” said MAHB.
However, it said that the detection, investigation, and enforcement of offences involving illegal substances that do not pose a direct threat to aviation safety and security fall within the mandate of relevant law enforcement authorities.
These include the police and the Royal Malaysia Customs Department when it comes to drugs, contraband, and other illegal substances, while the Department of Wildlife and National Parks handles matters involving wildlife trafficking. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.