Exposed: Spy Snipers Guarding a Drug Village in Samarinda
The Directorate of Drug Abuse Crime (Dittipidnarkoba) of the Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) of the Indonesian National Police conducted a raid on a drug village in Gang Langgar, Samarinda City, East Kalimantan. Dozens of people were detained in the operation.
The drug village, which has operated for four years, was tightly guarded by ‘snipers’ who served as lookouts to monitor everyone entering, including possible police. Dozens of ‘snipers’ were positioned at every corner of the alley to transmit codes.
The operation was uncovered after a joint team from Sub-Directorate IV of Dittipidnarkoba Bareskrim and NIC Task Force of Bareskrim Polri, led by Senior Commissioner Handik Zusen and Senior Commissioner Kevin Leleury, conducted undercover surveillance for days at the location. On Thursday, 15 May 2026, the team entered and conducted a raid on the site.
In the operation, the joint team arrested 11 suspects, including a dealer. The suspects were: Ade Saputra, Tri Hartanto Pamungkas, Kamarudin, Mustafa, Firnandes alias Nando, Asrheel, Muhammad Aswi, Nasrudin, Muhammad Tamrin, Muhammad Ical, and Idham Halid.
Drug Village Guarded by ‘Snipers’
Bareskrim revealed the tight guards of the syndicate in this Gang Langgar drug village. They mounted at least dozens of monitors — or as they call ‘snipers’ — tasked with watching people entering, including police who arrive.
‘Therefore, the snipers’ job isn’t only to monitor outsiders, but also the police. They will inform the inside syndicate when police come,’ said Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, Director of Drug Abuse Crime at Bareskrim Polri, in a statement on Monday (18 May).
According to Eko, there were around 31 snipers watching the drug village at night. However, surveillance slackened during the daytime.
A Police Officer Becomes ‘Sniper’ of Drug Village
The Directorate of Drug Abuse Crime (Dittipidnarkoba) Bareskrim Polri disclosed involvement of a police officer at the Gang Langgar drug village in Samarinda, East Kalimantan. The police officer Bripa DW was named as a ‘sniper’ or lookout for the drug village.
‘Bripa Dedy Wiratama is the ’sniper’ or person who monitors movements of people entering the drug village; he has been detained by the East Kalimantan Mobile Brigade Unit (Satbrimob Polda Kaltim),’ said Eko Hadi.
The one-star general said Bripka DW is currently undergoing investigation for violations of professional police ethics. DW is also in the process of dismissal.
‘After ethics proceedings, he will face criminal narcotics charges by Dittipidnarkoba Bareskrim Polri,’ he said.
After ethics proceedings, the person will be subjected to narcotics criminal proceedings by Dittipidnarkoba.
Bandar Kampung Narkoba Arrested in a Hotel
The raid on the drug village in Gang Langgar, Samarinda, East Kalimantan, conducted by Dittipidnarkoba Bareskrim Polri, was not limited to distributors. A dealer who controlled the drug village was also arrested.
‘Suspect Firnandes alias Nando was secured inside a hotel suite room in Samarinda while on a staycation with his girlfriend, initials WA,’ Eko said.
Nando’s arrest was carried out by the joint team of Sub-Directorate IV Dittipidnarkoba Bareskrim Polri and NIC Task Force Bareskrim Polri led by Senior Commissioners Handik Zusen and Kevin Leleury, on Friday (15 May) morning. Nando was intercepted while in the hotel room with his girlfriend.
‘The suspect Firnandes alias Nando is a drug dealer who operates the drug village in Gang Langgar,’ he added.
During the arrest, the police seized two mobile phones belonging to the suspect, Rp 10 million in cash. Police also conducted a search of Nando’s house at Gang Langgar Blok C, Baqa, Samarinda Seberang, Samarinda City, East Kalimantan.
Sales System in the Drug Village
Buyers would enter the location for the sale. Transactions were conducted at the site.
‘Users who have reached the location of sales in Block F of Gang Langgar will pay the amount needed, where one small clip is priced at Rp150,000, and multiples thereof,’ Eko said.
Security was also installed at the stalls or one of the houses belonging to H Endi, now listed as a fugitive (DPO). Police secured surveillance cameras, a samurai sword, and drones.
‘The joint team also secured two surveillance cameras, one samurai sword, and dozens of envelopes,’ said Eko.
‘One ASUS PC set and one DJI Mavic drone,’ he added.