Indonesian Police Reveal Chronology of Foreign Pilot's Arrest as Ecstasy Courier

The National Police Criminal Investigation Body’s Narcotics Crime Directorate (Dittipidnarkoba Bareskrim Polri) has revealed the chronology of the arrest of a foreign national pilot suspected of acting as a courier for 25 kilograms of ecstasy destined for Indonesia.

Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, Director of Narcotics Crime at Bareskrim Polri, stated in a briefing in Jakarta on Friday that the suspect, identified by the initials MSBO, is a Malaysian citizen. The suspect was apprehended on Tuesday (28/7).

He explained that the arrest began when Customs officers at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, Banten, were conducting X-ray scans on international passenger luggage. Officers flagged a suspicious suitcase, which was subsequently claimed by the owner, MSBO.

“The total amount of ecstasy evidence seized is 70,114 pills, with a net weight of 25,194.83 grams (approximately 25 kilograms),” said Eko.

Following interrogations by a joint team from Customs and the Bareskrim Polri Narcotics Sub-directorate, it was revealed that MSBO was instructed by an unidentified individual to transport the ecstasy to Jakarta in exchange for a payment of 50,000 ringgit.

“Upon arriving in Jakarta, the suspect was to be directed by an individual believed to reside in Malaysia, who would arrange for someone to collect the drugs from a hotel,” Eko added.

Eko also disclosed that urine tests conducted on the suspect returned positive for methamphetamine (shabu-shabu), MDMA (ecstasy), and cocaine. The case has now proceeded to the investigation stage, and the suspect is being held at the Bareskrim Polri detention centre. The suspect faces charges under Article 113 paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 114 paragraph (2) and Article 132 paragraph (1) of Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics.