Bareskrim arrests four individuals linked to Bandar Ishak drug network
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Directorate of Narcotics Crimes at Bareskrim Polri has arrested four suspects in the development of a methamphetamine drug network case that began with the capture of Bandar Ishak in West Kutai, East Kalimantan.
Director of Narcotics Crimes at Bareskrim Polri, Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, stated in an official briefing in Jakarta on Wednesday that the suspects include those with initials MV, MCK, NR alias M, and JMH alias B.
He emphasised that this revelation also opens suspicions of fund flows to law enforcement officials, which investigators are still probing.
He noted that the case development targets not only the main perpetrators but also the distribution network and parties assisting in the cross-regional drug circulation.
“The arrests of fugitives NR alias M and JMH alias B are developments from suspect Ishak, who was secured by Melak Police Sector regarding the circulation of methamphetamine drugs and suspected fund flows to the Head of Narcotics Unit of West Kutai Police Resort, AKP with initials DJS,” he said.
The series of arrests began with information on Ishak’s network, secured by Melak Police Sector on 11 February 2026. From examination results, Ishak is suspected of obtaining methamphetamine supplies from N alias M, who was then traced as part of a larger network.
The development continued at the end of April 2026 when a joint team from Subdit II, Subdit IV, and Satgas NIC of Dittipidnarkoba Bareskrim Polri conducted a case review and obtained information on N’s whereabouts in Bali. The team then conducted intensive surveillance from 30 April to 1 May 2026.
N and J were finally arrested while in a HiAce vehicle in the Karangasem area, Bali. Police then searched Villa Uma Dangin in Gianyar and seized Rp950 million in cash, one Toyota Fortuner unit, and several electronic items.
From interrogation results, J admitted to acting as a liaison for methamphetamine distribution from another fugitive named Y to N.
“Y drops off the goods (methamphetamine) to N alias M every two weeks, amounting to 100 to 200 grams,” he said.
Meanwhile, N admitted to having run methamphetamine distribution since 2025, with supplies up to 700 grams per month, which were then distributed to several retailers in West Kutai.
From these activities, he claimed to have earned profits of up to Rp280 million per month.
Bareskrim Polri is still hunting for fugitive Y and deepening the investigation into fund flows and suspected money laundering crimes (TPPU) in the network for further development.