Malaysia’s narcotics investigators extended questioning of a Malaysian pilot in Jakarta, gaining new leads on drug syndicates and financial flows.
JAKARTA: Malaysian narcotics investigators have obtained new leads on drug syndicates in Malaysia and abroad after two days of questioning a Malaysian pilot detained in Indonesia, with the probe extended into a third day on Friday.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the four-member investigation team also gathered information on the pilot’s alleged involvement in domestic and international drug syndicate networks.
“The meeting has been very fruitful for JSJN in several aspects, including helping us trace members of the drug syndicate involved in Malaysia and channel important information on the international drug syndicate network to the relevant drug enforcement agencies in other countries,” he told Bernama when contacted on Friday.
Hussein said the questioning was initially scheduled for Aug 12 and 13, but the Indonesian National Police (POLRI) allowed the Malaysian team an additional day with the suspect, extending the session to Aug 14.
He said the investigation also provided information on how the suspect managed to pass through checks at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), as well as the financial flows of drug syndicates within and outside Malaysia.
Hussein said POLRI had extended excellent cooperation to the Malaysian team, while the suspect had also cooperated well throughout the questioning.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said on Thursday that Indonesian authorities had granted Malaysian investigators access to question the pilot, paving the way for further investigation into the case.
Saifuddin Nasution said he had been briefed by Hussein on the latest developments and that the investigation was still ongoing.
The 39-year-old Malaysian pilot, who was arrested at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport last month on suspicion of attempting to smuggle 25 kilogrammes of drugs, remains in Indonesian police custody.
