521kg of meth seized from Laos private jet bound for Manila, not Malaysia: police

The seizure of 521kg of suspected methamphetamine from a private jet by Laotian authorities did not originate from Malaysia, as initially reported. Instead, the drugs were believed to have been produced in Laos and intended for delivery to Manila, the Philippines. The Laotian police were alerted by authorities in Laos on Tuesday that the cross-border smuggling attempt had been thwarted at Luang Prabang International Airport on Thursday.

According to Hussein Omar Khan, director of the Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department, the private jet had initially taken off from Subang Airport in Malaysia without any cargo before heading to Luang Prabang. The statement clarified that the drugs were destined for the Manila market in the Philippines and not the Malaysian market.

The aircraft landed in Luang Prabang around 11:30 am, while two vehicles arrived at the airport at approximately 1:30 pm. Airport personnel assisted in transferring 23 bags from the vehicles onto trolleys, which were then loaded onto the aircraft. During the inspection, 500 packages of the suspected methamphetamine weighing a total of 521kg were discovered.

Earlier reports suggested that a Malaysian was among 13 individuals detained by Laotian authorities following the discovery of the drugs. Hussein revealed that police have initiated an investigation and plan to send several Narcotics Crime Investigation Department officers to Laos to question those involved and gather further information about the syndicate, particularly its connections to Malaysia.

Laotian authorities had earlier reported that the operation was conducted based on information received on September 21 about a planned cross-border smuggling operation. This report was originally published by The Star.