Malaysian police trace syndicate behind 521kg syabu seizure in Laos on jet from Subang

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) have identified a syndicate and several individuals believed to be linked to the arrests and drug seizure at Luang Prabang International Airport, Laos, earlier this month.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said investigators had recorded statements from several witnesses, including a Malaysian who acted as a broker who arranged the charter of the aircraft involved.

He said the aircraft had been chartered by a 54-year-old Filipino man, identified as a former pilot with a drug-related criminal record in his home country.

“Investigations have also revealed the involvement of a 51-year-old Filipino woman who is believed to have acted as the syndicate’s coordinator,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Hussein said the case was being handled by the NCID’s Special Investigation Unit under Sections 34 and 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, relating to abetment or preparation in Malaysia for drug trafficking offences committed abroad.

He said the NCID was also working closely with the Foreign Ministry and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to obtain further information and assist in the investigation.

He said the NCID remained committed to combating drugs to protect present and future generations, and urged members of the public with information on drug-related activities to contact the NCID hotline at 012-208 7222.

On October 1, Lao police seized 521 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine from a private Learjet that had arrived from Subang.

Following the incident, 13 individuals, including Malaysian, Singaporean and Filipino nationals, were detained by Lao authorities to assist in investigations into the cross-border drug smuggling case.

On October 7, police arrested a local man who owned the private jet during a raid at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang. — Bernama