Drug Enforcement Director Suspended Over Alleged Extortion of Poppers Dealers
The Director of Drug Enforcement (Dirresnarkoba) of the Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) Provincial Police, Brigadier General Ardyanto Tejo Baskoro, has been suspended from his position along with six officers on suspicion of extorting a poppers drug dealer. The alleged extortion scheme totalled 375 million rupiah.
The poppers dealers involved in the case are Hen Yosdad Rumboni, Sutardi Finata and Jefri Hutasoit. All three were designated as suspects on 25 March 2025 by the NTT Provincial Police.
Poppers is a controlled substance prohibited by the Food and Drug Authority (BBPOM) from distribution because it contains isobutyl nitrite, which can cause stroke, heart attack and death if misused. Poppers is also used as a stimulant by individuals with sexual disorders, including those who are LGBT.
However, during the investigation, Brigadier General Ardyanto, along with six assistant investigators from the Drug Enforcement Division of NTT Provincial Police—AKP Hadi Samsul Bahri (HSB), Ipda BB, Aipda OT, Brigpol AI, Briptu LBM, and Bripda JG—are suspected of extorting Jefri Hutasoit and Sutardi Finata for 375 million rupiah.
“To ensure objective handling of the case, those individuals have been suspended from their positions as Director of Drug Enforcement of NTT Provincial Police on suspicion of extorting two suspects with the initials SF and JH, with transaction values reaching 375 million rupiah,” said Brigadier General Muhammad Andra Wardhana, Head of the Internal Affairs Division of NTT Provincial Police, on Sunday (15 March 2026).
Andra explained that the case began when the Drug Enforcement Division of NTT Provincial Police was conducting further investigation into the distribution of poppers from March to July 2025 in Kupang City.
During the investigation, Brigadier General Ardyanto allegedly began extorting Jefri Hutasoit and Sutardi Finata. According to Andra, the alleged illegal practice occurred through asset negotiation tactics and exploitation of the suspects’ detention periods, which took place in East Java as well as at NTT Provincial Police headquarters.
Consequently, this affected the ongoing legal process, including delays in forwarding the case to stage II at the High Prosecutor’s Office (Kejati) of NTT, as one of the suspects remained listed as a fugitive.
Currently, the Internal Affairs Division of the Provincial Police is conducting intensive examination of Brigadier General Ardyanto and the six personnel involved in the extortion case.
“The Internal Affairs Division of NTT Provincial Police has conducted preliminary examination of several personnel suspected of involvement. We are also gathering supporting evidence, including fund flows allegedly related to this case,” explained Andra.
In addition to the examination, NTT Provincial Police has also secured several pieces of evidence related to the case as part of the internal investigation process. NTT Provincial Police is committed to taking firm action against any personnel involved in criminal offences.
“To maintain the integrity and dignity of the institution, we take firm action against members suspected of serious violations. This step is part of the National Police’s internal effort to ensure every officer performs duties professionally, transparently, and with integrity,” Andra concluded.