Facts of the Drug Raid in Central Kalimantan That Killed 3 Police Officers
A drug raid in Tumbang Kalemei Village, Katingan Tengah District, Katingan Regency, Central Kalimantan, ended in tragedy. Three police officers died in the incident. The police are still pursuing all suspects involved in the deaths of the three members of the National Police force. Three members of the Katingan Police Drug Unit died while participating in an enforcement operation against drug dealers. The first officer found dead was Aipda Yudhie Perdana Putra, who succumbed to wounds from a sharp weapon. Aiptu Sumaryanto and Bripda Nopandri Ramadhana, who were initially reported missing after the raid, were later found dead. Nopandri’s body was discovered in the Katingan River, across from Tumbang Lahang Village, on Saturday (4/7) at around 15:55 WIB. Sumaryanto’s body was found in the river at Tumbang Kalemei Village on Sunday (5/7) morning.
The Director of Drug Crimes at the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency, Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, stated the raid occurred on Wednesday (1/7) evening when the Katingan Police Drug Unit followed up on public information regarding the alleged circulation of methamphetamine in Tumbang Kalemei Village. The investigation led to a target with the initials BIO, a known repeat drug offender. Twelve personnel were deployed in the operation. Upon arrival, the team split into two groups, with the first conducting enforcement at the target’s house and the second standing by as support. During the arrest, the target was secured, but the situation escalated when several people inside the house and local residents fought back using sharp weapons like machetes. The mob grew and attacked with sharp weapons and homemade firearms. As the situation spiralled out of control, personnel attempted to save themselves while requesting reinforcements. Some officers were forced to swim across the river and take cover in the forest to escape the mob.
A joint team from the Central Kalimantan Regional Police arrested a man with the initials S, also known as A, suspected of involvement in the attack. Central Kalimantan Police Chief Inspector General Iwan Kurniawan confirmed the arrest, stating the suspect was apprehended at a gold dredging pontoon in Tumbang Pariyei Village. The suspect was with his wife and cooperated when officers asked him to surrender. The pursuit of other perpetrators is ongoing. National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo instructed all ranks to take firm, measured action against drug dealers and kingpins following the incident. He emphasised that such action aims to protect all Indonesian citizens from the latent danger of narcotics, calling the dealers destroyers of the nation’s generation.