Private jet linked to drug bust was rented by Filipino man

SHAH ALAM – A Filipino man with a previous drug offence record in his country is believed to have rented a Malaysian private jet allegedly used to smuggle 521 kilogrammes of drugs from Laos to the Philippines.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said investigators had identified the syndicate and individuals believed to be linked to the case in Malaysia.

He said the NCID had recorded statements from several witnesses, including a Malaysian who acted as a broker in arranging the aircraft rental.

“The individual revealed that the aircraft was rented by a 54-year-old Filipino man identified as a former pilot who had a drug offence record in that country.

“Investigations also revealed that a 51-year-old Filipino woman was involved and believed to have acted as the coordinator of the syndicate,” he told Sinar Harian on Tuesday.

On Oct 1, Laotian authorities seized 521kg of crystal substances suspected to be methamphetamine from a private jet that had arrived from Subang.

Investigations found that the aircraft had departed from Subang without any cargo before arriving at Luang Prabang International Airport at about 11.30am.

At about 1.30pm, two vehicles arrived carrying 23 bags, which were subsequently transferred onto the aircraft.

Hussein added that the NCID was also working with Wisma Putra and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to obtain further information and assist in the investigation.

He said the case was being investigated by the NCID’s Special Investigation Unit at Bukit Aman under Sections 34 and 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, involving abetment or preparatory acts committed in Malaysia for drug trafficking offences abroad.

“The NCID is committed to fighting drugs to protect the current and future generations.

“Drugs are the country’s number one enemy, and members of the public can channel information through the NCID hotline at 012-2087222,” he said.

On Oct 7, a local private aviation company owner was among four people arrested by the NCID at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang to assist in the investigation.