MALAYSIAN and Philippine authorities have agreed to work together to track down a suspected drug syndicate after 521kg of crystal methamphetamine was seized from a private jet in Laos.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the case had uncovered intelligence pointing to a major drug syndicate allegedly linked to a Philippine politician, Harian Metro reported.
He said Malaysian police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agreed to cooperate during a meeting on Oct 20, exchanging information gathered from their respective investigations.
Laotian police seized the drugs at Luang Prabang International Airport on Oct 1.
The private jet had departed Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang without any drugs on board.
The 521kg consignment, packed into 500 packages and reportedly bound for Manila, was loaded onto the aircraft after it arrived in Laos.
A Filipino national believed to be the operation’s mastermind had booked the jet about a week before the seizure.
Hussein had previously said the individual hired a private aviation company owned by two Malaysian pilots and two Singaporeans for US$49,500.
Preliminary investigations suggested the Filipino national was using the company’s services for the first time.
Malaysian police have shared information about the individual with the PDEA to help locate the suspect.
Laotian authorities detained 13 people to assist in the investigation, including the pilot, co-pilot, Filipino passengers and airport and ground-handling personnel.
Separately, the aviation company’s owner and three other individuals were arrested at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport.
All four were later released after giving their statements. - October 23, 2026