Facts on Arrest of Koh Erwin, Drug Trafficker in Former Bima Police Chief Case
The Indonesian National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) has successfully arrested Koh Erwin, alias Erwin Iskandar, who is suspected of transferring funds to former Bima Police Chief AKBP Didik Putra Kuncoro. Erwin had been listed on the Most Wanted List (DPO) since Saturday, 21 February.
Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, Director of Narcotics Crime at Bareskrim Polri, stated that the arrest was conducted by a joint task force from the Narcotics Crime Directorate’s Subdirectorate IV and the NIC Task Force.
Key facts regarding Koh Erwin’s arrest:
Captured on Illegal Vessel
Bareskrim Polri reported that Koh Erwin was arrested aboard an illegal vessel whilst approaching Malaysian territorial waters. The arrest was carried out by a combined team from Subdirectorate IV and the NIC Task Force on Thursday, 26 February. Investigators detected that Erwin was planning to cross into Malaysia via an illegal maritime route from Tanjung Balai, North Sumatera.
Attempted Escape
Koh Erwin attempted to flee and resisted officers whilst being apprehended in Tanjung Balai, North Sumatera. Kombes Handik Zusen, Head of Subdirectorate IV at Bareskrim Polri’s Narcotics Crime Directorate, stated that officers were forced to take measured action to subdue the suspect.
Treasurer Also Arrested
Bareskrim Polri reported the successful arrest of Koh Erwin’s treasurer, Ais Setiawati, who was also on the Most Wanted List. Kombes Roman Elhaj, Director of the Narcotics Directorate at the North Sumatera Police, stated that Ais was arrested in Mataram on Thursday, 26 February, coinciding with Bareskrim Polri’s pursuit of Koh Erwin in Tanjung Balai, North Sumatera.
Two Accomplices Arrested
Bareskrim Polri emphasised that two individuals who assisted Koh Erwin’s escape were also apprehended: Akhsan al Fadhli and Rusdianto. According to Bareskrim, Akhsan al Fadhli, alias Genda, was arrested for helping Koh Erwin reach Tanjung Balai, North Sumatera. Rusdianto, alias Kumis, served as the facilitator for Erwin’s illegal border crossing.