Drug Trafficker Ko Erwin, Who Paid Rp 2.8 Billion to Ex-Bima Police Chief, Attempts Escape to Malaysia
TANGERANG — Drug trafficker Erwin Iskandar, known as Ko Erwin, who allegedly transferred Rp 2.8 billion to former Bima Police Chief AKBP Didik, was arrested in Tanjungbalai, North Sumatra on Thursday, 26 February 2026, at approximately 13.30 WIB whilst attempting to flee to Malaysia by boat.
Ko Erwin was apprehended by the National Police Narcotics Directorate (Dittipidnarkoba) of the Indonesian National Police Criminal Investigation Directorate (Bareskrim Polri). Head of the Narcotics Investigation Center Task Force at Bareskrim Polri, Brigadier Kevin Leleury, stated that Ko Erwin allegedly attempted escape using a vessel bound for Malaysia.
Leleury reported that Ko Erwin offered minor resistance during his arrest. “There was resistance, but minimal,” Leleury stated.
Ko Erwin operated as a crystal methamphetamine trafficker across the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) region and was on the wanted persons list (DPO).
In addition to Ko Erwin, police arrested two other individuals suspected of facilitating his escape at separate locations. “Three persons were secured in total. First, initials A alias G was apprehended in Riau, and second, initials R alias K was apprehended in Tanjungbalai,” Leleury explained.
Both individuals allegedly coordinated arrangements to enable Ko Erwin’s escape to Malaysia. Ko Erwin and the two other suspects have been transferred to Bareskrim Polri for further investigation.
The Narcotics Directorate of Bareskrim Polri assumed command of the pursuit for the fugitive narcotics suspect Erwin Iskandar bin Iskandar. Director of the Narcotics Directorate at Bareskrim Polri, Major General Eko Hadi Santoso, confirmed: “It is correct that the Narcotics Directorate of Bareskrim Polri has taken over the pursuit of wanted suspect Erwin” on Thursday, 26 February 2026.
Erwin was designated as a wanted person under the designation DPO/23/II/RES.4.2./2026/Dittipidnarkoba, accompanied by his photograph.