Drug Syndicate Uncovered After Operating for Four Years in Samarinda
A drug syndicate that had been operating for four years in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, has been dismantled by the Directorate of Narcotics Criminal Investigation (Dittipidnarkoba) of the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim). Eleven suspects were arrested during the operation.
The crackdown took place in Gang Langgar, a known drug hotspot in Samarinda. The operation was a joint effort between Direktorat IV Dittipidnarkoba Bareskrim Polri and Satgas NIC Dittipidnarkoba Bareskrim Polri, led by Kombes Handik Zusen and Kombes Kevin Leleury.
“We have secured eleven suspects,” said the Director of Narcotics Criminal Investigation at Bareskrim Polri, Brigjen Eko Hadi Santoso, when confirmed on Saturday (16/5/2026).
In addition, officers also confiscated a number of pieces of evidence. This syndicate had been operating in the drug hotspot for quite some time.
“They have been operating for 4 years,” he said.
The identities of the suspects are as follows:
Ade Saputra
Tri Hartanto Pamungkas
Kamaruddin
Mustafa
Firnandes
Asrheel
Muhammad Aswin
Nasruddin
Muhammad Tamrin
Muhammad Ical
Idham Halid
The arrested suspects were immediately taken to Jakarta and given firm, measured action. Upon arriving at Bareskrim, the suspects were seen limping as they got out of the car. Their legs were already bandaged due to the firm, measured action taken by the police.
The suspects’ hands were also tied with cable ties. They were immediately escorted into the elevator to undergo examination in the Dittipid Narkoba Bareskrim Polri room.
In addition to bringing 11 suspects, the police brought out a number of pieces of evidence that were tied with yellow tape. There were also several large bags and suitcases that were taken out of the car.
The Head of Unit 2, Sub-Directorate 4, Dittipid Narkoba Bareskrim Polri, AKBP Bayu Putra Samara, explained that this arrest was carried out by Sub-Directorate 4 and Satgas NIC Direktorat Tindak Pidana Narkoba Bareskrim Polri.
“In the operation, they managed to arrest 13 suspects, consisting of 11 members of the drug syndicate and 2 users, along with evidence of drugs,” said Bayu to reporters at Bareskrim Polri on Saturday (16/5).
Bayu said that this drug syndicate in Samarinda was quite elusive. According to him, the suspects had been about to be arrested several times, but always managed to escape. However, this time, they were all caught by the police.
“This syndicate is quite elusive because several times local police carried out operations but did not succeed,” said Bayu.
AKBP Bayu explained that this drug syndicate reaped a turnover of up to IDR 200 million per day. This drug syndicate had been operating for quite some time in Samarinda.
“The daily turnover is IDR 200,000,000,” said Bayu.