Facts in the Ko Erwin Drug Trafficking Case Implicating Former Bima City Police Chief
Ko Erwin, alias Erwin Iskandar, a major methamphetamine trafficker from West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), has been captured after a week on the wanted persons list (DPO). Ko Erwin was arrested on Thursday, 26 February 2026. The case also implicates former Bima City Police Chief AKBP Didik Putra Kuncoro and former narcotics unit commander AKP Malaungi.
Ko Erwin is alleged to have provided Rp 1 billion to AKBP Didik to allow him to distribute methamphetamine. The money was transferred to an account controlled by Malaungi. Here are the key facts.
Ko Erwin Shot in the Leg
Ko Erwin was arrested by a joint team from Subdit IV and Task Force NIC of the Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Indonesian National Police, led by Kombes Handik Zusen and Kombes Kevin Leleury. He was apprehended whilst attempting to flee to Malaysia.
“The arrest was carried out in Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra. As he was crossing by boat, which allegedly was heading to Malaysia,” said NIC Task Force Commander Kombes Kevin Leleury at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, as quoted by detikNews.
The fugitive drug trafficker was then flown to Jakarta and arrived at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Cengkareng under strict police escort. Ko Erwin was wearing a white mask and black hat with his hands handcuffed before being led into a police vehicle.
Kombes Handik Zusen, Deputy Chief of Subdit IV of the Criminal Investigation Directorate, stated that Ko Erwin resisted during arrest. As a result, police fired live ammunition at Ko Erwin.
“His leg was shot (because of) attempts to flee and there was resistance during the arrest,” said Handik.
Two Individuals Assisted the Escape
Director of Criminal Offences at the Criminal Investigation Directorate, Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, stated that Ko Erwin’s escape was facilitated by a suspect with initials A alias G. A alias G facilitated Erwin’s movement to Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra, as the departure point.
The team immediately pursued A alias G, who was known to be moving from Jakarta following Erwin to Tanjung Balai.
“Based on interrogation results with A alias G, it was learned that Erwin had planned an illegal maritime crossing to Malaysia and had coordinated with parties preparing the boat,” said Eko.
Additionally, Ko Erwin was also facilitated by suspect R alias K. Police have detained R alias K, the individual who acted as a crossing facilitator.
Based on R alias K’s confession, it is known that R alias K was contacted by someone called ‘The Doctor’ to prepare a boat to Malaysia. According to Eko, R alias K was aware of Erwin’s fugitive status but continued to assist due to instructions to accelerate the departure.
“On 24 February 2026 at 20.00 WIB, R alias K took Erwin to the departure point in Tanjung Balai and made a boat fee payment of Rp 7 million to (a person named) Rahmat,” revealed Eko.
Arrest Chronology
Director of Criminal Offences at the Criminal Investigation Directorate, Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, explained that the case originated from the development of investigations into drug abuse that implicated former Bima City Police Chief AKBP Didik Putra Kuncoro and former narcotics unit commander AKP Malaungi.
“During the examination process, suspicions emerged of the involvement of other parties in the drug trafficking network,” said Eko.
From the examination, investigators found clear connections linking other parties in the syndicate network. It is known that AKBP Didik had received a dishonourable discharge (PTDH) sanction from the Indonesian National Police.
The name Ko Erwin emerged during the development of the case. He is strongly suspected of playing a central role in the drug trafficking syndicate.
“And is linked to allegations of large-scale financial flows related to payments to individuals allegedly intended to provide protection so that drug trafficking could continue unimpeded in the Bima City area,” explained Eko.
Ko Erwin was aware that his name had come under investigation radar and decided to flee. He then intended to escape abroad to avoid investigator pursuit.
On the other hand, the joint team consisting of Subdit IV of the Criminal Investigation Directorate conducted intensive surveillance of people close to Erwin, including his wife, to trace the location of the drug trafficker.
The team obtained confirmation that the boat had departed carrying Erwin via illegal maritime routes. Armed with this information, the joint team immediately pursued.
Eko stated that the traditional boat carrying Erwin had almost reached Malaysian territorial waters and was about to exit Indonesian legal jurisdiction. However, the team successfully cut off the boat’s route through swift and measured action.
“The team successfully identified and prevented the success of this escape so that Erwin was secured before fully entering Malaysian legal territory,” he continued.
AKP Malaungi Brought to the Criminal Investigation Directorate
Former narcotics unit commander of Bima City Police, AKP Malaungi, was brought to the Criminal Investigation Directorate (Bareskrim) of the Indonesian National Police. Malaungi was taken there following Ko Erwin’s arrest. Ko Erwin was the individual who provided Malaungi with nearly half a kilogramme of methamphetamine for distribution to Sumbawa Island, NTB.
The head of the NTB Police, Brigadier General Edy Murbowo, confirmed that Malaungi was flown to the Criminal Investigation Directorate. “There is a joint investigation between the NTB Police and the Criminal Investigation Directorate,” said Edy in Mataram, Friday, 27 February 2026.
Malaungi was flown to the Criminal Investigation Directorate via Lombok International Airport (BIL) at approximately 11.00 WITA. According to Edy, Malaungi was brought to police headquarters to clarify the case being handled by the Criminal Investigation Directorate and the NTB Police.
“So this becomes clearer. Each of their roles becomes clearer. The Criminal Investigation Directorate and NTB Police will examine this further,” said Edy.