Drug Trafficker Ko Erwin Confronted with AKP Maulangi as Investigators Uncover Bribery Chain to AKBP Didik

Jakarta – Following his arrest in a dramatic escape attempt towards Malaysian waters, drug trafficker Erwin Iskandar, alias Ko Erwin, is undergoing interrogation to expose the network structure and financial flows implicating several law enforcement officials.

Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, Director of Narcotics Crime at Bareskrim Polri, disclosed that cross-examination proceedings are taking place at Bareskrim Polri headquarters. “He is currently being examined at Bareskrim for cross-confrontation of each party’s testimony,” he stated on Friday, 27 February 2026.

Among those being confronted is AKP Maulangi, former Head of Narcotics Investigation at Bima City Police Station. Additionally, five suspects from a drug distribution network previously identified by NTB Regional Police have been presented. They are Irfan, Herman, Yusril, Anita and Ais.

“This is confusing, everyone is telling their own version,” Eko remarked.

The cross-examination process serves a specific purpose. Investigators seek to resolve contradictory statements and corroborate them with physical evidence. “I confront them, and evidence emerges. One says this, another says that – so which is true? That’s why we need physical evidence, not just testimony,” he explained.

A key focus is the alleged transfer of funds from Ko Erwin to AKP Maulangi, reportedly connected to former Bima City Police Chief AKBP Didik Putra Kuncoro.

Ko Erwin’s arrest marks the end of a manhunt for the drug trafficker suspected of involvement in a bribery scandal with AKBP Didik Putra Kuncoro, the former Bima City Police Chief. The arrest was conducted by a joint team from Subdit IV and the NIC Task Force under the Narcotics Crime Directorate of Bareskrim Polri, confirming Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso’s statement on Friday, 27 February 2026.

The West Nusa Tenggara Regional Police designated Ko Erwin as a suspect in connection with allegedly providing Rp1 billion in bribes to AKBP Didik Putra Kuncoro during his tenure as Bima City Police Chief. The suspect status of the individual who provided the bribes through intermediary AKP Maulangi was confirmed by the Head of Communications Division of NTB Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Mohammad Kholid, via WhatsApp message on Friday.