Jakarta extends detention of Malaysian pilot by 30 days

A Malaysian pilot detained in Jakarta in July for allegedly smuggling more than 26kg of drugs remains in custody after Indonesian authorities obtained a 30-day extension to his detention order.

Bukit Aman narcotics crime investigation department director Hussein Omar Khan said the suspect completed his initial 60-day detention period but investigations are still ongoing, Harian Metro reported.

“The suspect is now being held under a court order for another 30 days.

“This period can then be extended by another 30 days,” Hussein said, citing the latest update on the case from the Indonesian authorities.

He said another pilot and six other people detained in Malaysia for their alleged links to the drug syndicate, had been placed under 60-day detention orders under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985.

Indonesian authorities previously said the first pilot, from Malaysia Airlines, was arrested at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on July 29 after being found with more than 70,000 ecstasy pills and 2.7g of methamphetamine.

The pilot was reportedly promised RM50,000 to smuggle the drugs.

Malaysian police arrested another pilot, who worked for a different airline, last month on suspicion of being linked to a drug smuggling syndicate connected to the first pilot.

Six other Malaysian men were also arrested in September following questioning of the first pilot by a team of Bukit Aman officers from Aug 11 to 15 in Jakarta.