Ko Erwin\u2019s escape nearly succeeded. The traditional vessel carrying\nhim had almost entered Malaysian waters when the Indonesian National\nPolice Narcotics Crime Directorate (Dittipidnarkoba) of the Criminal\nInvestigation Directorate (Bareskrim) cut off his route in open\nwaters.<\/p>\n
The fugitive narcotics trafficker from West Nusa Tenggara was finally\napprehended before completely leaving Indonesian jurisdiction.<\/p>\n
Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, Director of Narcotics Crime at\nBareskrim Polri, stated that Erwin Iskandar\u2019s, alias Ko Erwin\u2019s, arrest\nresulted from the development of an investigation into drug abuse\nallegations that had implicated former Bima Police Chief AKBP Didik\nPutra Kuncoro and former Narcotics Unit Head AKP Malaungi.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the examination process, suspicions emerged of third-party\ninvolvement in the narcotics distribution network,\u201d Eko told journalists\non Friday, 27 February 2026.<\/p>\n
Through further investigation, detectives uncovered evidence of\nthird-party involvement in the narcotics syndicate. AKBP Didik was\nsubsequently dismissed dishonourably from the police force.<\/p>\n
As the case developed, Ko Erwin\u2019s name emerged and he was suspected\nof holding a central role in the narcotics distribution network in\nBima.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdditionally, he was linked to the suspected transfer of substantial\nsums of money related to payments to certain individuals allegedly\nintended to provide protection so that narcotics distribution could\nproceed without obstruction in the Bima area,\u201d Eko explained.<\/p>\n
Fugitive\u2019s Trail Detected<\/p>\n
When Ko Erwin realised his name was on investigators\u2019 radar, he\nallegedly prepared an escape plan to flee abroad. He chose an illegal\nmaritime route to Malaysia from Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra.<\/p>\n
A joint team from Subdirectorate IV of Dittipidnarkoba led by Kombes\nPol Handik Zusen, along with the NIC Task Force led by Kombes Pol Kevin\nLeleury, then conducted intensive surveillance of Erwin\u2019s close\nassociates, including his wife.<\/p>\n
From this surveillance, Erwin\u2019s movements were discovered to be\nfacilitated by someone identified as A alias G, who arranged his\ndeparture to Tanjung Balai. The team immediately pursued A alias G, who\nhad travelled from Jakarta to follow Erwin.<\/p>\n
\u201cBased on interrogation of A alias G, it was established that Erwin\nhad planned to cross into Malaysia via an illegal maritime route and had\ncoordinated with parties preparing the vessel,\u201d Eko continued.<\/p>\n
The subsequent development pointed to R alias K, who served as the\nprovider of transport facilities. From his confession, he was contacted\nby someone called \u2018The Doctor\u2019 to arrange a vessel bound for\nMalaysia.<\/p>\n
R alias K knew of Erwin\u2019s fugitive status but still assisted because\nthere were instructions to expedite the departure.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn 24 February 2026 at 8 p.m. WIB, R alias K escorted Erwin to the\ndeparture point at Tanjung Balai and made a payment of 7 million rupiah\nfor the vessel to (a person named) Rahmat,\u201d Eko revealed.<\/p>\n
Intercepted Before Leaving Jurisdiction<\/p>\n
After confirming that the vessel carrying Erwin had departed via the\nillegal route, the joint team moved swiftly to pursue him.<\/p>\n
According to Eko, the vessel had almost entered Malaysian territorial\nwaters. Had there been even slight delay, Erwin risked escaping\nIndonesian law.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe team successfully identified and prevented the escape, securing\nErwin before he fully entered Malaysian territorial jurisdiction,\u201d Eko\ncontinued.<\/p>\n
When apprehended, Erwin offered no resistance. He was wearing a dark\nblue shirt and a black hat.<\/p>\n
During the arrest, police seized 4.8 million rupiah in cash and\n20,000 Malaysian ringgit, one TAG Heuer wristwatch, and one Samsung\nmobile phone.<\/p>\n
Ko Erwin has now been taken to Bareskrim Polri for further\ninterrogation. Investigators will prepare the case to construct a\ncomprehensive legal framework.<\/p>\n
\u201cTracing financial flows and investigating potential money laundering\noffences,\u201d Eko concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ko-erwins-nearly-flawless-escape-1772182822", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }