KUALA LUMPUR: Two Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel have been questioned as part of investigations into the Malaysian pilot arrested in Indonesia after drugs were found in his luggage.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the two AVSEC personnel had their statements recorded on Thursday.
“There were no arrests. We recorded their statements to assist in the ongoing investigation,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Comm Hussein said investigators are pursuing all leads, including efforts to identify the drug syndicate and network believed to have supplied the narcotics to the 39-year-old pilot.
“We will not be requesting an extradition as the pilot will face legal proceedings in Indonesia.”
He said the police will strengthen security at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) by deploying additional personnel and making drug detection a priority alongside existing checks for firearms and explosives.
“We will also enhance cooperation with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) and the Customs Department to tighten security at the country’s main gateway.”
According to Comm Hussein, 69 NCID personnel are already stationed at KLIA and have been carrying out enforcement operations.
“Under the enhanced measures, police personnel will be stationed alongside MAHB security officers at strategic locations throughout KLIA.
“Police patrols will also be expanded to cover departure halls, check-in counters and other identified high-risk areas, while the use of K9 detection units will be intensified,” he said.
Investigations revealed that the suspect had allegedly received the drugs from a location in Ampang two days before his flight.
Comm Hussein had said the police were also investigating how the suspect had passed through security screenings at the airport and are working with Indonesian authorities to identify links to a drug syndicate there.
While no suspects have been identified locally, Comm Hussein said that investigations have identified a “person of interest”.
AKPS director-general Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain had earlier confirmed that baggage screening at KLIA is conducted by AVSEC under Malaysia Airports, and not by agencies under AKPS, including the Customs Department.
“Preliminary findings indicated that no suspicious objects were detected when the pilot’s baggage passed through the screening machine before he was cleared to board the aircraft.
“He underwent and passed all security screening procedures.
“However, the police, through the NCID, is now conducting further investigations to determine how 25kg of drugs managed to pass through the advanced high-technology baggage screening system,” he added.
On July 28, a 39-year-old Malaysian pilot was arrested at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport by Indonesian authorities after officers discovered 15 large packages containing 70,114 ecstasy pills and methamphetamine in his luggage.
Calling for alerts: Flashback of The Star’s front page on security gaps exploited by smugglers and transnational syndicates.
