House Commission III Applauds Customs Officers for Foiling Pilot's Drug Smuggling Attempt

Deputy Chairman of House Commission III Ahmad Sahroni has commended customs officers at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport for successfully preventing the smuggling of ecstasy by a Malaysian pilot with the initials MS, aged 39. “That is appreciation for Customs, for analysing the security aspect of the lane normally used by crew members without letting their guard down,” Sahroni said at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday. He stated that the success demonstrates the thoroughness of customs officers in analysing the potential misuse of lanes commonly used by flight crew, ensuring they remain vigilant in their security duties. Sahroni noted that this is a crucial part of efforts to maintain security regarding narcotics trafficking and must be sustained through continuous supervision. Responding to the fact that MS tested positive for drugs, including while flying an aircraft, Sahroni stressed the importance of screening pilots. He reminded that pilots are prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages, let alone narcotics. Regarding the suspicion that this was not the perpetrator’s first smuggling attempt, Sahroni added that security on special crew lanes must be strictly monitored. “With this incident, it is clear that the lane is tight, not arbitrary, which is why he was caught. However, do not be complacent; continue to supervise the special lanes at all airports across the republic,” he said. Previously, the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Directorate explained that pilot MS was arrested on Tuesday, 28 July, and subsequently named a suspect. The arrest began when customs officers at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Banten, conducted an X-ray inspection of international passenger baggage. Officers noticed a suspicious suitcase, which was later collected by its owner, MS. Upon inspection, officers found 14 large packages of ecstasy and one package of crystal methamphetamine. “The total evidence amounted to 70,114 ecstasy pills with a net weight of 25,194.83 grammes (25 kilogrammes),” said Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, Director of Narcotics Crime at the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency. From the interrogation by a joint team of Customs and the Narcotics Crime Directorate, it was discovered that MS was instructed by someone to bring the ecstasy to Jakarta for a fee of 50,000 ringgit, or approximately Rp220 million. “Upon arrival in Jakarta, the suspect would be directed by a person believed to be residing in Malaysia, who would arrange for someone to collect the drugs at the hotel,” Eko said. The suspect has been detained at the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency’s State Detention Centre under charges related to Article 113 paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 114 paragraph (2) and Article 132 paragraph (1) of Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics.