Drug Trafficking Suspect Koko Erwin Arrested Before Entering Malaysian Waters
The Directorate of Narcotics Crime (Dittipidnarkoba) of the Indonesian National Police’s Criminal Investigation Directorate (Bareskrim) has revealed the chronology of the arrest of Erwin alias Koko Erwin, a suspected major drug trafficker allegedly linked to a network involving former Bima City Police Chief AKB Didik Putra Kuncoro.
Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, Director of Narcotics Crime at Bareskrim Polri, explained that Erwin’s involvement was uncovered through the investigation of narcotics distribution in the West Nusa Tenggara Regional Police jurisdiction. The case previously implicated former Bima City Police Narcotics Section Head AK Malaungi.
Erwin is believed to have played a central role in a narcotics trafficking syndicate, including suspected large transfers of funds to certain police personnel. “This is suspected to have been intended to provide protection so that narcotics distribution could operate without impediment in the Bima City area,” Eko stated in Jakarta on Friday (27 February).
Escape Attempt
As investigations deepened, Erwin attempted to flee overseas. A combined team from Sub-Directorate IV of Dittipidnarkoba Bareskrim Polri immediately conducted intensive surveillance, including monitoring his family and associates suspected of assisting his escape.
Based on IT analysis and field intelligence, Erwin was assisted by Akhsan Al Fadhli alias Genda to reach Tanjung Balai in North Sumatra as an illegal departure point. “Based on interrogation results with Genda, we obtained information that Erwin had planned an illegal maritime crossing to Malaysia and had coordinated with parties preparing the vessel,” Eko explained.
Facilitator’s Role
The investigation continued with Rusdianto alias Kumis, who served as a crossing facilitator. Rusdianto admitted to being contacted by someone with the initials ‘The Doctor’ to prepare a vessel for the crossing.
Despite knowing Erwin was a police fugitive, Rusdianto contacted the boat operator named Rahmat and paid a fee of 7 million rupiah. Erwin was then transported to the departure point in Tanjung Balai on Wednesday (24 February) at 20:00 WIB.
Jurisdictional Boundary
Bareskrim personnel immediately pursued the vessel carrying Erwin shortly after it departed towards Malaysia. The chase occurred in international waters.
“Based on field monitoring and position identification, it was determined that Erwin had nearly reached Malaysian territorial waters and was about to exit Indonesia’s legal jurisdiction,” said Eko.
Through swift and measured action, officers intercepted the vessel and secured Erwin just before he entered Malaysian territorial jurisdiction.
Erwin has since been brought to Bareskrim Polri headquarters in Jakarta for intensive examination. Investigators will soon conduct a case conference to establish comprehensive legal construction and investigate other parties involved in the escape and narcotics network.