KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian and Philippine anti-narcotics authorities have agreed to launch a joint investigation into the attempted smuggling of 521kg of syabu aboard a private jet intercepted in Laos.
The agreement follows intelligence exposing a major drug syndicate linked to a Philippine politician.
Narcotics Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the decision was reached during a special bilateral meeting between Malaysian police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Oct 20.
The meeting involved Philippine agency director-general Undersecretary Isagani R. Nerezani and three delegates.
Hussein said both agencies exchanged their respective investigative findings concerning the drug shipment, which was intercepted at Luang Prabang International Airport on Oct 1.
"Both agencies have agreed to exchange documents and information relating to the case and undertake a joint investigation.
"Based on intelligence shared by Malaysian police, PDEA was able to uncover a major drug syndicate with links to a politician in the Philippines," he told the New Straits Times.
The agreement marks a significant development in the cross-border investigation, with authorities from both countries now working together to identify the individuals responsible for organising, financing and facilitating the drug trafficking operation.
The latest development comes as Philippine authorities intensify their investigations into the attempted shipment, estimated to be worth 3.5 billion pesos.
Philippine news outlet Inquirer reported that the Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) had issued 40 subpoenas as part of its investigation.
CIDG director Major General Robert Alexander Morico II said 11 of those summoned were among the persons of interest previously identified by Philippine Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
Morico said investigators had expanded their inquiries to include companies and personnel operating in Subic and Metro Manila, eventually tracing the airline company linked to the aircraft intercepted in Laos.
The CIDG is also working with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the country's Bureau of Immigration to establish the circumstances surrounding the attempted shipment.
Philippine investigators have identified Sultan Edrieza Hadji Nasser Rimbang, a former Bangsamoro Transition Authority parliament member, as a key suspect in the operation.
Morico said investigators believed Rimbang had provided 11.5 million pesos to finance the operation, including the chartering of the aircraft.
Of that amount, approximately seven million pesos was intended for the aircraft charter, while three million pesos was reportedly allocated as "grease money" to facilitate the shipment's arrival in the Philippines.
Investigators also identified Police Master Sargeant Aileen Jayne Manalo Mendoza, an officer attached to the Philippine Aviation Security Group, as the individual believed to have sourced private aviation companies for the operation.
Mendoza has since been relieved of her duties and placed under restrictive custody.
Morico said investigators were also seeking testimony from Abdulkarim Macalatas, identified as the intended consignee responsible for receiving and distributing the drugs upon their arrival in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Philippine news outlet Bilyonaryo reported that PDEA had identified Rimbang as more than just the suspected financier of the drug trafficking operation.
During a hearing before the Philippine House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, Nerezani said investigators believed Rimbang had masterminded the attempted shipment by planning the operation, directing accomplices and financing the chartered aircraft.
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