East Nusa Tenggara Police Chief: Narcotics Director Suspended Over Alleged Extortion of Rp375 Million
The Director of the Narcotics Division of the East Nusa Tenggara Regional Police (Polda NTT), Senior Commissioner ATB, who has been suspended, is suspected of abusing his authority and extorting two suspects identified as SF and JH for a total of Rp375 million.
In addition to Senior Commissioner ATB, six other members of the Narcotics Division have been implicated in the extortion case: Senior Police Commissioner HSB, First Inspector BB, Junior Police Commissioner OT, Brigadier AI, Brigadier First Class LBM, and Brigadier JG.
“It is alleged that these individuals, comprising Senior Commissioner ATB and six investigative personnel from the Narcotics Division, extorted two suspects identified as SF and JH in transactions totalling Rp375 million,” stated the Head of Public Relations at Polda NTT, Senior Commissioner Henry Novika Chandra, in a statement on Saturday evening (14 March).
Henry stated that the extortion and abuse of authority case involving Senior Commissioner ATB and his six officers began between March and July 2025, when the Narcotics Division of Polda NTT was investigating an alleged health crime involving the distribution of illegal substances known as poppers.
“During the investigation process, suspicions emerged of abuse of authority involving a mid-ranking officer with initials ATB (Narcotics Director) together with six other officers,” Henry said.
Henry noted that the alleged illegal practice occurred through a modus operandi involving asset negotiations and exploitation of suspect detention periods, which took place in East Java as well as at Polda NTT headquarters.
Henry stated that the NTT Police Chief, Inspector General Rudi Darmoko, has taken firm action by suspending Senior Commissioner ATB from his position as Narcotics Director and also suspending the six other officers.
According to Henry, Polda NTT will not tolerate any violations committed by members of the East Nusa Tenggara police force.
“Polda NTT is committed to taking firm action against every violation committed by errant officers. The enforcement of discipline and ethics is conducted professionally, transparently and accountably in order to maintain public trust in the police institution,” he stated.
Separately, the Head of Professional Conduct at Polda NTT, First Police Commissioner Muhammad Andra Wardhana, stated that his division has acted swiftly by conducting intensive examinations of all personnel suspected of involvement.
“The Professional Conduct Division of Polda NTT has conducted preliminary examinations of several personnel suspected of involvement and has gathered supporting evidence, including evidence related to financial flows allegedly connected to this case,” Andra stated.
Andra explained that preliminary examinations have been conducted against several officers, namely Senior Police Commissioner HSB, First Inspector BB, Junior Police Commissioner OT, Brigadier AI, Brigadier First Class LBM and Brigadier JG. Additionally, several items of evidence related to financial flows have been secured as part of the internal investigation process.
“To ensure objective handling of the case, the individual in question (Senior Commissioner ATB) has been suspended from his position as Director of the Narcotics Division of Polda NTT and is currently undergoing examination by the National Police’s Professional Conduct Division,” he stated.
Andra stated that following the examination results, Polda NTT will also conduct a special case conference with the National Police’s Professional Conduct Division to determine the legal status of Senior Commissioner ATB and the six other officers allegedly involved in the case.
If found to have violated the Police Professional Code of Ethics as stipulated in National Police Regulation Number 7 of 2022, the individuals in question may be subject to strict sanctions, including dismissal without honour.