Indonesian customs releases footage of pilot held over drug smuggling bid

The Directorate-General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) in Indonesia has released CCTV footage of a Malaysian pilot arrested for allegedly smuggling 25kg of ecstasy through Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta Airport. The pilot, aged 39, was captured on video collecting a silver hardshell suitcase from a baggage carousel while also pulling another black suitcase. After being directed to a fast-track lane for flight crew, he was subsequently subjected to customs inspection.

During the inspection, officers opened the silver suitcase, discovering multiple brown packages concealed beneath the suspect's clothing. Close-up footage showed customs officers examining and removing these packages. The video also revealed a small bottle containing what was claimed to be fake urine, allegedly intended to tamper with the results of a urine test.

Indonesian authorities announced that the pilot had been apprehended on July 29, carrying 70,114 ecstasy pills and 2.7g of methamphetamine. The suspect reportedly admitted to being offered the drugs in exchange for RM50,000. The national police's criminal investigation department stated that the man had previously smuggled narcotics into Indonesia, using the dedicated crew baggage handling system to conceal the drugs in a suitcase bearing a crew claim tag.

The Malaysian embassy in Jakarta is seeking consular access to the pilot, while Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd has offered assistance to Indonesian authorities in connection with the case.