Arrest of Ko Erwin, Drug Trafficker Who Allegedly Paid Rp2.8 Billion to Former Bima City Police Chief
Tangerang — The flight of Erwin Iskandar, alias Ko Erwin, has ended in the waters of Tanjungbalai, North Sumatra. The methamphetamine trafficker, who allegedly transferred Rp2.8 billion to former Bima City Police Chief Didik Putra Kuncoro, was arrested by the Narcotics Crime Directorate (Dittipidnarkoba) of the National Police Criminal Investigation Directorate (Bareskrim Polri) whilst allegedly attempting to flee to Malaysia via a maritime route on Thursday, 26 February 2026.
The arrest concluded the manhunt for Ko Erwin, who had been listed as a wanted person in a narcotics case that also implicated Didik Putra Kuncoro.
“The suspect was crossing by ship when we conducted the arrest; he was allegedly heading to Malaysia,” said Kevin when met at Terminal 1C of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang City, on Friday, 27 February 2026.
According to Kevin, Ko Erwin resisted during the arrest attempt. However, the resistance was brief. “There was (resistance), but minimal, not significant,” he stated.
In addition to Ko Erwin, police arrested two other individuals with the initials A alias G and R alias K. Both are suspected of assisting in arranging the wanted person’s escape abroad.
“Their role was to arrange for this wanted person to flee to Malaysia, to help the wanted person escape,” Kevin said.
One day after his arrest, Ko Erwin arrived at Terminal 1C of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport under tight security from the Narcotics Crime Directorate of Bareskrim Polri.
According to Kompas.com observations, Ko Erwin exited the airport terminal around 08.30 Western Indonesian Time. He wore a grey t-shirt, white trousers, and black flip-flops. His face was covered with a white surgical mask and black cap. Both his hands were handcuffed and covered with black cloth.
Throughout his walk to the vehicle, Ko Erwin appeared downcast and made no statements to media personnel. Several officers stood on both sides of the suspect to maintain distance from journalists and airport users.
He was subsequently placed into a black Toyota Kijang Innova that had been prepared at the arrivals area.