Former Toraja Narcotics Chief Allegedly Protected Drug Traffickers; National Police Chief Orders Thorough Investigation
The Head of the National Police Public Relations Division, Inspector General Johnny Eddizon Isir, has confirmed that National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has ordered a thorough investigation into the narcotics case involving former Head of the Narcotics Unit at North Toraja Police Precinct, Senior Commissioner Arifan Efendi, and First Brigadier Nasrul, who served as Narcotics Section Chief, down to its roots.
Beyond these two individuals, anyone else involved will be pursued by the Polri. Both are suspected of more than mere negligence; they are alleged to have protected drug trafficking networks and been involved in distribution operations. Consequently, their entire drug trafficking network will be dismantled completely.
“Likewise, if there are individuals involved in this, whether they provided backing or otherwise, firm action will be taken,” he said on Friday, 27 February 2026.
The National Police, he stated, will not tolerate officers engaging in narcotics trafficking. Criminal proceedings against the two former narcotics officials are confirmed to be ongoing.
“We will enforce the law firmly. This is a commitment that the Police Chief has repeatedly conveyed. Narcotics are the common enemy,” he said.
He also assured that both disciplinary and criminal procedures will proceed without special treatment.
“There is no tolerance and no special treatment or impunity, none,” he added.
Previously reported, the Head of the Narcotics Investigation Unit at North Toraja Police Precinct, Senior Commissioner Arifan Efendi, together with the Narcotics Investigation Section Chief at North Toraja Police Precinct, First Brigadier Nasrul, were detained by a special team from the South Sulawesi Regional Police for allegedly being involved in narcotics distribution in the region.
The two police officers were arrested following a statement by an alleged drug trafficker in Toraja who confessed to depositing money weekly to officers at North Toraja Police Precinct.
“The narcotics chief in North Toraja has been reassigned. Currently, two individuals linked to this case are under investigation,” said the Head of the Discipline and Internal Affairs Bureau at South Sulawesi Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Zulham Effendi, when confirmed by journalists in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Sunday, 22 February 2026.
He confirmed that the case is under investigation by the Discipline and Internal Affairs Bureau investigation team and intensive examination is currently being conducted. Further investigation is ongoing regarding the two police officers involved.