Drug Dealer Ko Erwin Linked to Former Bima City Police Chief Arrested in North Sumatra
A drug dealer from Nusa Tenggara Barat, Erwin Iskandar alias Ko Erwin, has been arrested by Indonesia’s Criminal Investigation Directorate (Bareskrim Polri). He was arrested in Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra, whilst attempting to cross into Malaysia.
According to detikNews, Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, Director of Narcotics Crime at Bareskrim Polri, confirmed the arrest of Ko Erwin. Ko Erwin was arrested on Thursday (26 February 2026).
“It is true that the wanted suspect Erwin has been apprehended by the combined team from Sub-directorate IV and the NIC Task Force of the Narcotics Crime Directorate at Bareskrim Polri. Further details will be provided during a press conference,” said Brigadier General Eko Hadi in a statement on Friday (27 February).
Separately, Commander of the NIC Task Force at the Narcotics Crime Directorate, Senior Commissioner Kevin Leleury, stated that Ko Erwin was arrested in Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra, whilst attempting to cross into Malaysia.
Additionally, two other individuals were arrested in connection with Ko Erwin. The two suspects arrested were identified as A alias G and R alias K.
“According to their statements, they were arranging for this wanted suspect to flee to Malaysia,” said Kevin.
Ko Erwin and the two other suspects arrived at Soekarno-Hatta Airport at 08:00 Western Indonesia Time this morning. All three are currently being brought to Bareskrim Polri for further questioning.
It is known that Ko Erwin was designated as a wanted suspect based on wanted notice DPO/23/II/RES.4.2./2026/Dittipidnarkoba, dated 21 February 2026.
“Erwin Iskandar bin Iskandar to be monitored/apprehended/surrendered/his whereabouts to be reported to the investigator in the name of Senior Commissioner AKBP Agung Prabowo, A.Md at the police station aforementioned,” read the wanted notice.
Ko Erwin became a wanted suspect due to his involvement in a drug case that has ensnared former Bima City Police Chief AKBP Didik Putra Kuncoro and former Bima City Police Anti-narcotics Chief AKP Malaungi.
Ko Erwin is alleged to have provided Rp 1 billion to AKBP Didik to enable methamphetamine distribution. The money was transferred by Ko Erwin into a bank account controlled by Malaungi.