Luggage with drugs not loaded onto private jet in Subang, says flight operator

 Company says its passenger left without any hand carry baggage and that he only intended to collect his luggage in Laos.

CGT Asia Pte Ltd said the private jet had been scheduled to fly from Subang airport to Laos and then to Manila before returning to Subang. (File pic)

PETALING JAYA:

The private jet linked to the discovery of 521kg of methamphetamine in Laos did not carry the 23 bags that were later found to contain the drugs, the charter firm that operated the flight said.

Singapore-based CGT Asia Pte Ltd said the plane was scheduled to leave from Subang airport and make a stop at Luang Prabang International Airport in Laos before flying to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila in the Philippines, and returning to Subang airport.

It said a Filipino passenger had boarded the plane at Subang airport on Oct 1 without any carry-on baggage, after informing the flight crew that he intended to collect luggage in Laos.

“The crew was informed that the passenger intended to collect luggage containing vape products for the onward flight (to Manila) and that the passenger would personally handle the customs clearance process.

“However, the crew was not informed that the luggage would consist of approximately 23 pieces, and this quantity was substantially greater than anticipated,” it said in a statement.

CGT Asia said the flight’s operating crew were not involved in the customs clearance process in Laos.

After being informed about the number of luggage involved, it said the crew raised operational and safety concerns, including the unusually large quantity of baggage and the possible presence of lithium batteries or potentially dangerous goods.

“Prior to receiving information from the Lao authorities, neither CGT Asia nor the operating flight crew had knowledge that the luggage allegedly contained illicit drugs or controlled substances.

“The operating crew had already refused carriage of the baggage before becoming aware of its alleged contents. The luggage was not accepted for carriage and was not loaded onto the aircraft at Luang Prabang International Airport.

“Subsequently, the relevant Lao authorities inspected and took control of the luggage and advised that the baggage was suspected of containing a significant quantity of illicit drugs or controlled substances concealed within or among the declared items,” it said.

CGT Asia reiterated that neither the company nor the flight’s operating crew knowingly agreed to transport drugs or other prohibited cargo.

It said it will continue cooperating with the authorities in their investigation into the case.

Laotian police were reportedly tipped off that a drug trafficking ring planned to smuggle drugs through a private aircraft arriving at Luang Prabang International Airport on Oct 1.

Police later found 21 suitcases containing meth and arrested 13 suspects, including the pilot, co-pilot, a foreign tourist, three company employees, and seven Luang Prabang International Airport workers.

A Malaysian was among the 13 suspects, but Bukit Aman said the suspect was not on the flight while the pilot and co-pilot were not Malaysians.

Malaysian police later arrested four people linked to the case, shortly before the aircraft they were in was scheduled to depart from Subang for Manila.

This includes a pilot who owns the company that operated the private charter flight at the centre of the drug trafficking case. - FMT