Indonesian Police Investigate Malaysian Pilot’s Alleged Drug Network  

Malaysia Airlines pilot Mohd Saufi bin Othman. Photo: Polri

Indonesian Police Investigate Malaysian Pilot’s Alleged Drug Network  

Fajar Nugraha • 4 August 2026 14:52

Jakarta: The Directorate of Narcotics Crime at the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri) is continuing its investigation into an alleged drug smuggling case involving Malaysia Airlines pilot Mohd Saufi bin Othman.
 
The 39-year-old suspect was arrested at Soekarno-Hatta Airport on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, after being found carrying 70,114 ecstasy pills –,with an estimated street value of IDR56 billion,– and 4 grams of crystal methamphetamine.

His urine tests came back positive for crystal methamphetamine, ecstasy, and cocaine. Authorities added that the suspect had attempted to evade health screenings by providing another person’s urine sample.
 
Head of Sub-directorate 2 of the Narcotics Directorate, Senior Commissioner Awaludin Amin, said authorities would coordinate with all relevant parties, including the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), to uncover the wider drug network believed to be linked to the pilot.
 
Police are still working to determine how the drugs were smuggled from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta.
 
Mohd Saufi bin Othman remains in custody and could face the death penalty under Indonesia’s narcotics law.
 
(Jonathan Sianto)

(Fajar Nugraha)