Malaysian Pilot Allegedly Acts as International Drug Courier
The National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) Narcotics Directorate thwarted a large-scale narcotics smuggling attempt at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten. A Malaysian national identified by the initials MSBO—who works as a pilot—was arrested after allegedly bringing over 25 kilograms of narcotics into Indonesia.
The arrest took place at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta Airport on Tuesday (July 28, 2026). The case came to light when Customs officers conducted a routine X-ray screening of passenger luggage.
Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, Director of Narcotics Crimes at Bareskrim Polri, stated that the scan revealed suspicious objects inside the suspect’s suitcase. Upon closer inspection, officers discovered 14 packages containing ecstasy capsules and one package of methamphetamine (crystal meth).
According to investigators’ tallies, the seized evidence consisted of 70,114 ecstasy capsules and one package of methamphetamine, with a total net weight of 25,194.83 grams.
“A total of 70,114 narcotic capsules with a net weight of 25,194.83 grams were found,” said Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso.
During initial questioning, MSBO admitted he had been promised a reward of 50,000 Malaysian ringgit—approximately IDR 220 million—if he successfully delivered the narcotics to Indonesia. Upon arriving in Jakarta, he was reportedly instructed to wait at his hotel for further directions regarding the person who would collect the package.
Investigators suspect the operation is part of a transnational narcotics network controlled by an individual in Malaysia. Authorities are currently pursuing the person suspected of orchestrating the operation and acting as the recipient of the goods in Indonesia.
MSBO also admitted to investigators that this was not his first time carrying out such an operation. He claimed to have previously acted as a drug courier on two occasions: delivering goods to Sabah, Malaysia, and smuggling approximately seven kilograms of methamphetamine into Jakarta. The operation that led to his arrest at Soekarno-Hatta Airport is identified as the third operation.
In addition to seizing evidence, the police administered a urine test to the suspect. The results indicated that MSBO had tested positive for ecstasy and methamphetamine. These findings led investigators to suspect that the suspect acted not only as a courier but also as a narcotics user.
MSBO is currently detained at the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri) detention center pending further investigation. The police are continuing to develop the case to uncover the international network suspected of involvement in smuggling narcotics into Indonesia.
For his actions, the suspect has been charged under Article 113 paragraph (2), Article 114 paragraph (2), and Article 132 paragraph (1) of Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics; he faces severe penalties for allegedly importing, acting as an intermediary, and conspiring to traffic large quantities of narcotics.
