KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 — A Filipino national believed to be the mastermind of a drug-smuggling syndicate booked a private jet linked to the seizure of 521kg of methamphetamine in Laos on September 23, about a week before the incident.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the individual engaged the services of a private aviation company owned by four individuals — two Malaysian pilots and two Singaporeans — for a fee of US$49,500 (RM202,300).
He said the booking was for a flight from Laos to Manila, Philippines, with the cargo declared as vape products.
"Information regarding the declaration of goods carried on the flight was obtained from the manifest secured in Subang, as well as from Lao authorities.
"We are currently investigating whether the company owner is involved in the syndicate or if they were also exploited by the syndicate," he said.
Hussein said police were also gathering further details about the Filipino national believed to have made the booking, with information already shared with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to assist in locating the individual.
Preliminary investigations suggested that the individual was using the company's services for the first time, having chosen it because it offered the lowest price for the flight route.
He said the company had two entities registered in Cambodia and operated in Malaysia, with two jets stationed at Subang.
The airline received approval to provide the services in July 2026 and had since accepted nine flight bookings, with the flight to Laos being its eighth.
"The company owner is a pilot with extensive experience across various airlines who has now established an airline to offer private commercial services," he told a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent Headquarters (IPK) today.
Commenting on the arrest of a local man who owned the private airline, along with three other individuals at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang last Wednesday, Hussein said all four had been released after their statements were recorded.
He added that the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) were still awaiting approval and clearance from Laotian authorities to send officers to the country to obtain further information from the detained Malaysians.
Media reports on October 1 said Laotian police had seized 521kg of crystal methamphetamine packed in 500 packages from a private Learjet that had arrived at Luang Prabang International Airport from Subang.
The jet had departed Subang for Luang Prabang without any drugs on board. The 521kg of methamphetamine was loaded onto the aircraft after its arrival in Laos and was believed to be destined for Manila, Philippines.
Following the seizure, Laotian authorities detained 13 individuals, including the pilot, co-pilot, Filipino passengers, and airport and ground service personnel, to assist in the investigation.
