Arrest of Koko Erwin: Drug Supplier to Police Officer AKBP Didik Nearly Escapes to Malaysia
The Directorate of Narcotics Crime (Dittipidnarkoba) of the Indonesian National Police Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim Polri) has unveiled the timeline of the arrest of Erwin Iskandar, alias Koko Erwin. The man, previously listed as a wanted person, is suspected of supplying money and narcotics to former Bima City Police Chief AKBP Didik Putra Kuncoro.
Koko Erwin was apprehended in Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra, on Thursday 26 February, precisely as he was preparing to illegally cross into Malaysia.
The Director of Narcotics Crime of Bareskrim Polri, Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, explained that Erwin’s involvement was uncovered through the development of a narcotics case in the jurisdiction of the North Tenggara Regional Police (Polda NTB), which previously ensnared former Head of Narcotics Investigations at Bima City Police, AKP Malaungi.
Erwin is strongly suspected of playing a central role in a drug trafficking syndicate and depositing large sums of money to police personnel. “Allegedly intended to provide protection so that narcotics trafficking could continue without obstruction in the Bima City area,” Eko stated, as cited by Antara on Friday 27 February.
Realising he was being targeted, Erwin attempted to disappear. A combined team from the Subdirectorate IV of Dittipidnarkoba immediately began conducting intensive surveillance of people close to Erwin, including his wife, to trace his whereabouts.
IT analysis revealed that Erwin was assisted by someone named Akhsan Al Fadhli, alias Genda, to travel to Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra, which was projected as a point of escape abroad. “Based on interrogation results with Genda, it was established that Erwin had planned to cross into Malaysia through illegal sea routes and had coordinated with parties preparing a boat,” Eko explained.
The investigation subsequently pointed to Rusdianto, alias Kumis, who served as a crossing facilitator. From Rusdianto’s statement, a mysterious figure with the initials “The Doctor” emerged, allegedly the mastermind behind arranging the boat.
Despite knowing Erwin was a major fugitive, Rusdianto audaciously assisted him. He coordinated with Rahmat, a boat provider, and paid 7 million rupiah to help Erwin escape. On Wednesday 24 February at 20:00 WIB, Erwin was taken to the boat in the waters of Tanjung Balai. Learning the target had begun to set out to sea, the Bareskrim team immediately conducted a rapid pursuit in the open sea before Erwin crossed Indonesia’s territorial boundary.
“Based on monitoring and field position identification results, it was established that Erwin had nearly reached Malaysian territorial waters and was about to exit Indonesian legal jurisdiction,” Eko stated. Through swift and measured action, officers successfully intercepted the boat. Erwin was secured just before entering Malaysian territorial waters. The trafficker has now been brought to the Bareskrim Polri building in Jakarta for thorough examination.
The National Police are now conducting case conferences to establish comprehensive legal construction, whilst also pursuing the support network and other parties who assisted in the escape.