was caught or had been caught

[tamguatlay]

Nagaenthran was convicted and sentenced to death in November 2010 for importing 42.72g of heroin. He had been caught in April 2009 while entering Singapore from Malaysia at Woodlands Checkpoint with the bundle of drugs strapped to his thigh.

Should it be "He was caught in April 2009"? If it shouldn't, what is the reason?

Thanks.

[Alan]

I don't know why you would think the past perfect inappropriate here, since its standard use is to refer to events prior to the general past time of reference.