Bareskrim to Interrogate Police Officer Allegedly Protecting Drug Den in Samarinda
The Directorate of Narcotics Crimes (Dittipidnarkoba) of the Indonesian National Police (Bareskrim) will interrogate a Brimob officer, Bripka Dedy Wiratama, who allegedly provided protection for a drug-infested area in Gang Langgar, Samarinda, East Kalimantan.
The Director of Narcotics Crimes at Bareskrim, Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, stated that Dedy is scheduled to arrive at the Bareskrim Polri Building in Jakarta on Friday at 3:30 PM WIB for questioning. He will undergo a narcotics criminal investigation conducted by a joint team from Sub-directorate IV and the Narcotic Investigation Centre (NIC) task force.
He also revealed that Dedy has already been subject to dishonourable discharge (PTDH) by the East Kalimantan Regional Police’s Propam division after being found guilty of serious misconduct.
Previously, the Bareskrim Narcotics Crime Directorate uncovered an organised drug syndicate operating in Gang Langgar, Samarinda. Within this syndicate, Bripka Dedy allegedly functioned as a ‘sniper’ or lookout for drug trafficking activities.
Eko explained that the ‘sniper’ was tasked with monitoring the drug sales process in Gang Langgar. Initially, a sniper positioned in front of a modern retail shop would use subtle hand signals, such as ‘enter, enter’, to guide buyers. The sniper would then relay information via handheld radio (HT).
Along the route, there were reportedly 21 lookouts using handheld radios to guide users purchasing drugs at the Gang Langgar Block F stall. At the intersection of the Block F alley, the sniper enforced a rule that only one person per vehicle could enter the sales location. If buyers arrived on a motorcycle, one person was required to dismount and wait at the Block F intersection under the surveillance of the snipers.
Once buyers reached the sales point at the Block F counter, they would pay for their required amount, with small packets of methamphetamine (shabu-shabu) priced at Rp150,000 and multiples thereof.