Babel Police Name Inmate as Suspect in Prison-Controlled Drug Ring

The Narcotics Investigation Directorate of the Bangka Belitung Islands Police has named a suspect in a case involving the distribution of methamphetamine, allegedly controlled by an inmate from the Class IIA Pangkalpinang Narcotics Prison. The naming of the inmate as a suspect is the result of developing a case that began with a drug seizure in May 2026, according to the Director of Narcotics Investigation for the Babel Police, Senior Commissioner Ronald F. Sipayung. The case originated from the arrest of suspect FB, a 34-year-old contract government employee, on 7 May 2026, with initial evidence of approximately 1.6 kilograms of methamphetamine. However, laboratory results showed that not all of the seized substance was narcotics; some was identified as rock sugar, suspected to be used as a method to mix with the drugs. Police also seized nine ecstasy pills and two mobile phones belonging to FB. Based on the examination, FB admitted to receiving about four kilograms of methamphetamine from an account to be distributed in the Bangka Belitung region, particularly in Pangkalpinang and Central Bangka. Investigators then coordinated with the Class IIA Pangkalpinang Narcotics Prison to trace the identity of the account owner, leading to an inmate with the initials CH, also known as KE, who is serving a six-year sentence for a drug offence. At the end of May 2026, officers conducted a search and seized two mobile phones suspected of being used by the inmate. Digital forensic examination of the devices was then matched with data from FB’s phone. The suspect is charged under Article 114 paragraph (2) of the Republic of Indonesia Law Number 35 of 2009 on Narcotics, in conjunction with Article 609 paragraph (2) letter a of the Republic of Indonesia Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code, and the Republic of Indonesia Law Number 1 of 2026 on Criminal Adjustments, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Investigators are continuing to develop the case to uncover the main drug supplier and the network above the two suspects.