KUALA LUMPUR: The arrest of a Malaysian pilot in Laos brings the number of Malaysian pilots detained in drug cases to three since late July.

The latest case involves a Malaysian second officer who was among 13 people arrested by Lao authorities after they foiled an attempt to smuggle 521kg of crystal methamphetamine using a private jet at Luang Prabang International Airport on Oct 1.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan confirmed the arrest.

He said plans are underway to send a team to Laos to investigate the case further and gather information that could help combat local drug syndicates linked to the Laos syndicate.

The aircraft had earlier departed from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang for Luang Prabang with three people on board and no cargo.