Luang Prabang:Kuala Lumpur A Filipino national is suspected of orchestrating a drug smuggling operation involving a private jet, which was linked to the seizure of 521 kg of methamphetamine in Laos on September 23. The individual reportedly booked the flight about a week before the incident.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Hussein Omar Khan, director of the Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department, revealed that the Filipino engaged a private aviation company owned by two Malaysians and two Singaporeans for a fee of US$49,500. The flight was scheduled from Laos to Manila, Philippines, with the cargo declared as vape products.
Hussein stated that the cargo details were obtained from the flight manifest secured in Subang and from Lao authorities. An investigation is underway to determine whether the aviation company owners were involved in the smuggling operations or were unwittingly used by the syndicate.
Efforts are being made to gather more information on the Filipino national who booked the flight. This data has been shared with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to aid in locating the individual. Preliminary findings suggest this was the first time the individual used the company's services, attracted by their low pricing.
The company, operating with two jets stationed in Subang and registered entities in Cambodia, only began offering services in July 2026 and has accepted nine bookings so far. The Laos flight was its eighth.
During a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent Headquarters, Hussein commented on the arrest of the private airline owner and three others at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport. They were released after their statements were recorded. The Royal Malaysia Police are still awaiting permission from Laotian authorities to send officials to gather more information from detained Malaysians.
Media reports from October 1 detailed the seizure by Laotian police of 521 kg of methamphetamine in 500 packages from a private Learjet at Luang Prabang International Airport, which had arrived from Subang. The methamphetamine was loaded in Laos, with Manila as its suspected destination. Following the discovery, 13 individuals, including the pilots, Filipino passengers, and airport staff, were detained for questioning by Laotian authorities.