Drug Trafficker Koko Erwin Arrested; Regional Police Chief Assures Trial Will Be Held in NTB
The Regional Police Chief of West Nusa Tenggara, Inspector General Edy Murbowo, has assured that the judicial process for the narcotics case involving suspected drug trafficker Koko Erwin will proceed within the NTB region. This confirmation came following Erwin’s arrest, after he had been listed as a wanted person.
“Yes, anything related to the Koko Erwin narcotics case will definitely be handled here in NTB. Once investigations are completed at the National Police Headquarters (Mabes Polri), it will also be examined here,” stated Edy when met at the NTB Regional Police Headquarters in Mataram on Friday (27 February 2026).
Koko Erwin was apprehended in Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra, whilst allegedly attempting to cross into Malaysia on Thursday (26 February). Responding to the arrest, the NTB Regional Police Chief expressed his gratitude. “Alhamdulillah. So Friday is indeed blessed; Allah has approved our efforts,” he remarked.
He noted that follow-up actions regarding Koko Erwin, currently being held by the National Police Criminal Investigation Directorate (Bareskrim) in Jakarta, would become material for investigative development through a series of examinations. “We shall wait for the follow-up actions from Bareskrim, who will undoubtedly release their findings. We shall see,” he said.
Regarding allegations of a one billion rupiah fund transfer from Koko Erwin to AKB Didik Putra Kuncoro through AKP Malaungi, the NTB Regional Police Chief stated that his office was still awaiting developments in the examination. “We shall see first. This involves the Narcotics Crime Directorate of the NTB Regional Police, whilst Bareskrim is still in Jakarta. If there is indeed a connection here in NTB, then it can be handled here,” he explained.
Previously, the Narcotics Crime Directorate (Dittipidnarkoba) of Bareskrim had confirmed the arrest of Koko Erwin. “It is confirmed that wanted person Erwin has been arrested by the Joint Team of Sub-Directorate IV and the NIC Task Force of the Narcotics Crime Directorate of Bareskrim,” stated Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, Director of Narcotics Crime at Bareskrim, in Jakarta.
Separately, the Commander of the NIC Task Force of the Narcotics Crime Directorate, Senior Commissioner Kevin Leleury, stated that Erwin was apprehended in Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra, whilst attempting to cross into Malaysia on Thursday (26 February). During the arrest, officers also secured two other suspected perpetrators with initials A alias Y and R alias K.
Both individuals are said to have assisted Erwin in fleeing to Malaysia in order to evade arrest. “Perpetrator A alias Y was arrested in Riau, whilst R alias K was arrested in Tanjung Balai together with Erwin,” he stated.
Koko Erwin’s name previously emerged during a press conference held by the legal representative of AKP Malaungi, Asmuni. In that statement, it was noted that his client had disclosed all parties involved in the narcotics distribution case at the Narcotics Investigation Directorate of the NTB Regional Police.
In the examination report, AKP Malaungi, whilst serving as Head of the Narcotics Unit of Bima City Police, admitted to knowing Koko Erwin as a drug trafficker who provided him with crystal methamphetamine weighing 488 grams at Marina Inn Hotel, Bima City in late 2025. The delivery of the methamphetamine in five plastic packets was described as a follow-up to a bribe valued at one billion rupiah from Koko Erwin.
In the examination, it was also noted that the one billion rupiah payment was intended to assist in fulfilling the superior officer’s desire to acquire a new Alphard vehicle worth 1.8 billion rupiah.
AKB Didik Putra Kuncoro, as Head of Bima City Police, was also mentioned in the examination report, and was reported to have welcomed the initiative and coordinated with subordinates to ensure that Koko Erwin’s methamphetamine business operated within the Bima City Police jurisdiction.
The West Nusa Tenggara Regional Police Headquarters brought Assistant Commissioner Malaungi to the National Police Criminal Investigation Directorate in relation to the Koko Erwin narcotics case.