East Kalimantan Police Seize Billions in Assets from Drug Lord in Paser, Alleged Money Laundering
The Narcotics Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditresnarkoba) of the East Kalimantan Regional Police has achieved a significant breakthrough in combating narcotics networks. In addition to the arrest of a methamphetamine dealer identified by the initials MYF (5lar), investigators have applied Money Laundering (TPPU) charges against the suspect.
During this operation, police seized assets valued at billions of rupiah, including an oil palm plantation believed to be the proceeds of the illegal drug trade. The Director of Narcotics Criminal Investigation of the East Kalimantan Police, Kombes Pol Romylus Tamtelahitu, revealed that the suspect, a resident of Paser Regency, is suspected of operating a methamphetamine distribution business in the Muara Komam area since 2023.
“Investigators found indications that profits from this illegal business were diverted into various forms of assets,” Romylus stated in Balikpapan on Thursday.
The exposure of this alleged money laundering marks a new milestone in narcotics law enforcement in East Kalimantan. As part of ‘Operation Antik 2026’, the police managed to secure a substantial amount of evidence.
“In addition to Rp1 billion in cash, investigators seized one Toyota Hilux unit, one Toyota Fortuner unit, ownership documents for a 13-hectare oil palm plantation, and land title certificates,” Romylus explained.
Beyond physical assets and cash, police also secured narcotics evidence consisting of 1.49 grams of methamphetamine, 2.17 grams of ecstasy pills, digital scales, and plastic packaging bags.
Investigations revealed that MYF was capable of distributing between 1 to 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine per month. To disguise the flow of proceeds from sales, the suspect utilised both personal and third-party bank accounts.
The arrest took place at the suspect’s residence in Selerong Village, Muara Komam District, Paser Regency. Romylus emphasised that the seizure of the 13-hectare oil palm plantation is the first of its kind in a narcotics-related money laundering case within the East Kalimantan Police jurisdiction.
This decisive action follows direct instructions from the East Kalimantan Regional Police Chief, Irjen Pol Endar Priantoro, to restrict the movement of drug networks by severing their economic supply chains.
“The Regional Police Chief’s message is clear: we are prepared to impoverish drug perpetrators and kingpins. We are not playing around,” he asserted.
For his actions, MYF faces charges under Article 137 of Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics in conjunction with the Criminal Code, as well as Article 3 of Law Number 8 of 2010 concerning the Prevention and Eradication of Money Laundering. The suspect faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, fines of up to Rp10 billion, and the seizure of all assets proven to originate from narcotics crimes.