KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) have arrested six local men suspected of involvement in an international drug trafficking syndicate linked to the arrest of a Malaysian co-pilot in Jakarta last July.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan stated that the suspects, aged between 23 and 50, were detained during special operations conducted between Aug 20 and 28. The arrests followed crucial intelligence obtained during questioning of the 39-year-old co-pilot by an NCID team sent to Jakarta from Aug 11 to 15.

“Investigations and intelligence found that the suspects acted as upline and downline members of the drug distribution syndicate involving the co-pilot,” Hussein said when contacted today.

Hussein revealed that four of the suspects had attempted to evade capture by fleeing abroad—two to Thailand and two to Vietnam—before being intercepted upon their return to Malaysia.

“The two men who fled to Thailand were arrested when they returned by ferry at Kuah jetty, Langkawi, while the two who fled to Vietnam were detained upon arrival at Penang International Airport,” he said.

All six suspects are currently detained under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985, which allows police to hold suspects for up to 60 days to complete investigations before any further detention orders are issued. Key findings from the investigation will also be shared with the Indonesian National Police (POLRI).

The 39-year-old Malaysian co-pilot was previously apprehended by Indonesian authorities at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on suspicion of attempting to smuggle 25 kilogrammes of narcotics. POLRI officers confiscated 15 packages containing 70,114 ecstasy pills and methamphetamine, with an estimated market value of RM45 million.

–NMT