KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 3): A Malaysian pilot held in Jakarta over a drug-smuggling case will stay in custody for another 30 days under a court order, after his initial 60-day detention lapsed.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said police received the latest update from the Indonesian National Police's Narcotics Crime Directorate (Narkoba Polri).

He said Indonesian authorities are still investigating the case and can detain a suspect for up to 120 days before bringing charges. 

"The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) has received the latest update from Narkoba Polri. They have extended his detention period," he said when contacted by Bernama on Saturday.

In a related development in Malaysia, another pilot and six other individuals suspected of links to the same drug syndicate have been placed under a 60-day detention order under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985.

The case involves investigations by both Indonesian and Malaysian authorities into allegations of Malaysian aviation personnel's involvement in drug-smuggling activities.

Bernama previously reported that a 39-year-old Malaysian pilot was detained at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on July 29.

The suspect was detained after he was believed to have been carrying 15 packages containing some 70,000 ecstasy and methamphetamine pills, weighing approximately 25 kilogrammes, with an estimated value of RM45 million.

A team of NCID officers visited Jakarta from Aug 11 to 15 last year to question the suspect and exchange information with the Indonesian authorities.

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