Drug Trafficker Erwin Arrested in North Sumatra Following Former Bima Police Chief Investigation
TANGERANG - Suspect Erwin Iskandar, also known as Ko Erwin, who is implicated in a narcotics case involving former Bima City Police Chief AKBP Didik Putra Kuncoro, was arrested by the Indonesian National Police’s Criminal Investigation Directorate (Bareskrim) on Thursday, 26 February 2026 in Tanjungbalai, North Sumatra, at approximately 1:30 p.m. Western Indonesia Time.
Kombes Pol Kevin Leleury, head of the Narcotics Directorate Task Force at Bareskrim Polri, stated that the arrest was made whilst the suspect was aboard a vessel and allegedly attempting to flee to Malaysia.
“The suspect was engaged in distribution using a boat, and we made the arrest when he was suspected of heading to Malaysia,” Kevin said upon meeting reporters at the Arrivals Terminal 1C, Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, on Friday, 27 February 2026.
During the arrest operation, Erwin offered some resistance, though it was minimal and short-lived.
“There was some, but only a little,” Kevin said.
Police identified Erwin as a methamphetamine distributor in the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) region and confirmed he was on the wanted persons list (DPO).
“The wanted person’s role was as a methamphetamine distributor in NTB,” he added.
“We have secured three individuals so far. First, an initial identified as A, alias G, was apprehended in Riau. Second, an initial identified as R, alias K, was apprehended in Tanjungbalai,” Kevin explained.
He stated that both individuals were instrumental in arranging Ko Erwin’s departure to enable his flight to Malaysia.
“Their role was to arrange for this wanted person to flee to Malaysia and to assist the wanted person’s escape,” he said.
Regarding Erwin’s connection to former Bima City Police Chief AKBP Didik Putra Kuncoro, Kevin declined to provide detailed explanation at this stage. He said the matter would be presented directly by Bareskrim Polri after the investigation is completed.
“The connection will likely be presented and explained in a press release for further details,” he said.