Malaysia Airlines Co-Pilot Caught Smuggling 26kg of Ecstasy Through Fast Track at Soekarno-Hatta
Customs officers at Soekarno-Hatta Airport intercepted and searched the luggage of Malaysia Airlines pilot Mohd Saufi bin Othman (39), who was acting as a courier for 26 kg of ecstasy. Saufi, who was serving as a co-pilot on a flight to Soekarno-Hatta, was initially directed to pass through the fast track lane designated for flight crew.
CCTV footage uploaded by Customs showed Saufi’s movements upon arrival at Terminal 3 on Wednesday, 29 July. He was seen heading to the baggage claim area and carrying two suitcases as he attempted to exit the terminal. Customs stated that Saufi had completed the Customs Declaration process via the All Indonesia website and was initially directed to the fast track. “The perpetrator passed through the arrival area, completed the Customs Declaration process via the All Indonesia website, and was then assigned a lane by the Risk Assessment Officer. He was even directed to the special crew lane (fast track),” Customs wrote on its official Instagram account.
However, Customs officers continued their surveillance based on suspicion of Saufi. Based on an analysis of his movements and profile, officers ultimately directed the pilot to an inspection desk. “Despite being directed to the special crew lane (fast track), Customs officers continued risk-based surveillance of the perpetrator’s movements and profile. Based on the results of this analysis, officers directed the perpetrator to undergo further inspection of his belongings,” Customs stated.
Video footage then showed Saufi placing his suitcases on the Customs inspection desk. Several Customs officers asked him to open the silver suitcase he was carrying. Officers asked Saufi to open a bag inside the suitcase and remove its contents. Upon inspection, the items in the suitcase were found to be 26 kg of ecstasy. Officers also discovered a bottle of urine, suspected to have been prepared in case Saufi was required to undergo a sudden drug test. “The inspection resulted in the seizure of 26 kilograms (gross) of ecstasy, equivalent to 70,114 pills, and 4 grams of methamphetamine hidden inside the suitcase. Officers also seized a small bottle of urine suspected to have been prepared to falsify a urine test result if required during the examination,” Customs wrote.
Customs subsequently handed Saufi over to the Indonesian National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency for legal proceedings. During the examination, it was also revealed that Saufi tested positive for three types of drugs. He is suspected of having been under the influence of drugs during the flight. “This demonstrates that Customs surveillance does not stop at the lane assignment process. Through risk analysis, profiling, officer observation, and X-ray and physical examinations, the smuggling attempt was successfully thwarted. The perpetrator and evidence were subsequently handed over to the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency for further investigation and network development,” Customs stated.
Malaysia Airlines has responded to the arrest of its pilot for smuggling tens of kilograms of ecstasy. The airline stated it will cooperate with Indonesian authorities in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Quoted by the official Malaysian news agency Bernama, Malaysia Airlines said it is refraining from further comment but is taking the allegations seriously. In a statement to Bernama, the national carrier said it is not appropriate to comment further as the matter is under investigation by the Indonesian authorities. “Malaysia Airlines wishes to reiterate that it has zero tolerance for any form of misconduct and is currently conducting an internal review of the matter,” it said.