KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian is among 13 individuals detained by Laotian authorities following the discovery of 521kg of crystal methamphetamine aboard a private jet in the country last week.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said preliminary investigations found that the Learjet private aircraft had departed from Subang, Selangor, bound for Luang Prabang International Airport, Laos.
However, he clarified that the Malaysian suspect detained did not travel on the flight.
"So far, we have not received detailed information from the Laotian drug enforcement authorities. Based on the information we have right now, one of the 13 individuals detained is a Malaysian.
"Investigations found that the private jet flew from Subang to Laos, but the pilot and copilot of the aircraft are not Malaysian citizens," he said when contacted on Tuesday (Oct 6).
When asked whether the syndicate could be linked to the case involving the arrest of a Malaysian pilot in Indonesia previously, Hussein said the matter was still under investigation, and it was too early for police to draw any conclusions.
The Vientiane Times earlier on Tuesday reported that Lao police foiled an attempt to smuggle 500 packs of crystal methamphetamine by air on Oct 1.
Upon further inspection of the Learjet, bearing registration number N73GP, 23 suitcases were found, 21 of which contained white crystalline substances believed to be drugs, weighing 521kg.
The security operation was launched at 1.30pm at Luang Prabang International Airport following a tip-off received by the provincial authorities on Sept 21 regarding a planned cross-border syndicate operation.
The 13 individuals detained comprised the pilot, co-pilot, a foreign tourist, three private-sector employees and seven airport staff, including three women. – Bernama
