PETALING JAYA: The 521kg of suspected methamphetamine seized by Laotian authorities from a private jet was not sourced from Malaysia, with the drugs believed to have originated in Laos and been destined for Manila, Philippines.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said police were informed by Laotian authorities on Tuesday (Oct 6) that the cross-border smuggling attempt had been foiled at Luang Prabang International Airport on Oct 1.
He said the private jet had initially departed from Subang Airport without any cargo before flying to Luang Prabang.
“The drugs seized were meant for the Manila market in the Philippines and not the Malaysian market.
“The aircraft departed Subang for Luang Prabang without any cargo before it was believed to have been used to transport the drugs from Laos to Manila,” he said in a statement.
Comm Hussein said the aircraft arrived in Luang Prabang at about 11.30am, while two vehicles arrived at the airport at about 1.30pm.
Several airport personnel then helped transfer 23 bags from the vehicles onto trolleys to be loaded onto the aircraft.
An inspection of the bags found 500 packages of suspected methamphetamine weighing 521kg in total.
Earlier, media reported that a Malaysian was among 13 individuals detained by Laotian authorities following the discovery of 521kg of crystal methamphetamine aboard a private jet in the country last week.
Comm Hussein said police had launched an investigation and would send several NCID officers to Laos to question those involved and obtain further information on the syndicate, particularly its links to Malaysia.
Laotian authorities had earlier said the operation was launched following information received on Sept 21 about a planned cross-border smuggling operation.
