Laos Police Find 521kg Of Meth On Private Jet Flying From Malaysia

The aircraft was reportedly rented for USD49,500 (approximately RM202,000).

Cover image via Nik Abdullah Nik Omar/New Straits Times & JSJN Bukit Aman/New Straits Times

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Bukit Aman has confirmed the arrest of a Malaysian man who owns the private jet involved in the 521kg crystal methamphetamine seizure in Laos last week

In a statement today, 8 October, Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the man is also the owner of a private aviation company that offers charter flight services in Malaysia.

According to Hussein, investigations revealed that the company owns two other similar aircraft, which are also available for private charter bookings.

For this particular flight from Subang to Luang Prabang, the Learjet was rented for USD49,500 (approximately RM202,000).

NCID is now working to identify the individual who made the booking for further investigation.

Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan.

Image via New Straits Times

Police have also arrested three more people at Subang Airport

Hussein said the three individuals, aged between 30 and 40, were arrested at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang yesterday, 7 October, for inspection and further investigation.

They have no prior criminal records.

Police have not specified what roles, if any, the four individuals arrested in Malaysia may have played in the alleged drug trafficking attempt.

The arrests in Malaysia follow a major drug seizure by Lao authorities at Luang Prabang International Airport on 1 October

Police in Laos intercepted an alleged transnational drug trafficking attempt after a private jet arrived from Subang Airport.

According to PDRM, only three people were on board the aircraft during the flight from Subang to Luang Prabang: a Singaporean pilot, a Malaysian co-pilot, and a Philippine passenger.

The aircraft had reportedly arrived without any cargo and was scheduled to continue to the Philippines.

The aircraft landed at Luang Prabang International Airport at around 11.30am. At approximately 1.30pm, two vehicles arrived at the airport carrying 23 bags, which were then transferred onto the aircraft with the assistance of airport staff, police said.

Lao authorities subsequently discovered that the bags contained 521kg of methamphetamine-type drugs

Following the discovery, Lao authorities detained 13 people for further investigation. They included the three people who had arrived on the aircraft, as well as 10 Lao nationals — three ground services company staff and seven airport staff who operated the X-ray screening machine.

PDRM said the drugs are believed to have been destined for Manila in the Philippines rather than Malaysia.

The investigation into the international drug trafficking attempt is still ongoing.