Criminal Investigation Directorate Arrests Two Individuals Aiding Drug Kingpin Koh Erwin's Flight
Indonesia’s Criminal Investigation Directorate (Bareskrim) of the National Police has arrested two individuals who aided the flight of fugitive drug kingpin Koh Erwin, also known as Erwin Iskandar.
Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, Director of Narcotics Crime at Bareskrim Polri, stated that after allegations emerged that Koh Erwin had made payoffs to former Bima City Police Chief AKBP Didik Putra Kuncoro, Koh Erwin immediately attempted to flee abroad to evade investigators.
“During the investigation development, information was obtained that the individual sought to flee overseas in order to avoid legal prosecution,” he said in a written statement on Friday, 27 February.
Subsequently, Santoso said, a joint team from Subdit IV and the NIC Task Force immediately monitored several individuals suspected of assisting Erwin’s escape, including through interrogation of Erwin’s wife to determine his whereabouts.
Eko stated that through IT analysis, investigators obtained information that Erwin was assisted by a figure named Akhsan al Fadhli, also known as Genda, towards the Tanjung Balai area in North Sumatra.
“The team then pursued Akhsan al Fadhli, also known as Genda, who was known to be travelling from Jakarta to Tanjung Balai to catch up with Erwin,” he explained.
He described how interrogation of Akhsan revealed that Erwin planned to cross to Malaysia via illegal sea routes. Erwin was also said to have contacted someone who could arrange a vessel.
From this information, the team then arrested Rusdianto, also known as Kumis, who served as a facilitator for Erwin’s crossing.
“Rusdianto was contacted by someone known as ‘The Doctor’ to help prepare a vessel for crossing to Malaysia,” he explained.
Subsequently, Rusdianto contacted Rahmat, who provided a vessel to expedite the departure. Rusdianto then escorted Erwin to the sailing point in Tanjung Balai and made a payment of 7 million rupiah to Rahmat for vessel costs.
“Based on this information, Erwin was then transported using a traditional vessel via illegal sea routes towards Malaysia,” he said.
Previously, Bareskrim Polri stated that fugitive drug kingpin Koh Erwin had attempted to flee and resisted officers when being apprehended in Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra.
Senior Commissioner Handik Zusen, Deputy Head of Narcotics Crime Division at Bareskrim Polri, stated that officers were forced to take measured action to incapacitate the suspect.
“There was an attempt to flee and there was resistance during arrest,” he told journalists on Friday, 27 February.
According to CNNIndonesia.com observations at Bareskrim Polri, Koh Erwin arrived at the location around 11:35 WIB. Koh Erwin, wearing a grey shirt, was seen being supported by two officers as he was dragged from a vehicle.
Subsequently, the drug kingpin who allegedly made payments to former Bima City Police Chief AKBP Didik Putra Kuncoro was immediately taken by officers for intensive questioning.