Fugitive Drug Dealer Ko Erwin's Escape Halted with Gunshot to Leg
Ko Erwin’s Flight Ends in Custody
The fugitive drug dealer Erwin Iskandar, alias Ko Erwin, from West Nusa Tenggara has been captured. Ko Erwin was arrested in Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra, one week after being placed on the police wanted list.
Ko Erwin was arrested on Thursday, 26 February 2026. He was taken into custody in connection with a case involving former Bima City Police Chief AKBP Didik Putra Kuncoro and former Bima City Police Drug Enforcement Chief AKP Malaungi.
Ko Erwin allegedly provided 1 billion rupiah to AKBP Didik to enable drug distribution operations. The money was transferred to an account controlled by Malaungi.
Arrest at Sea in Tanjung Balai
Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, Director of the Narcotics Crime Task Force (Dittipidnarkoba) at the National Police Criminal Investigation Bureau (Bareskrim Polri), confirmed the arrest of wanted fugitive Erwin. Ko Erwin was apprehended on Thursday, 26 February 2026.
“It is true that wanted fugitive Erwin has been arrested by a combined team from Subdirectorate IV and the NIC Task Force of Dittipidnarkoba Bareskrim Polri. Further details will be provided during a press conference,” said Brigadier General Eko Hadi to journalists on Friday, 27 February 2026.
Ko Erwin was arrested by a combined team from Subdirectorate IV of the Narcotics Crime Directorate (Dittipidnarkoba) Bareskrim Polri and the NIC Task Force under the leadership of Senior Commissioner Handik Zusen and Senior Commissioner Kevin Leleury. He was detained whilst attempting to flee to Malaysia after nearly a week as a police fugitive.
The drug dealer was then flown to Jakarta and arrived at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Cengkareng at 08:00 WIB this morning under strict police escort. Ko Erwin was wearing a white mask and black hat with his hands in handcuffs as he was led into a police vehicle.
“The arrest was made in Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra, whilst he was attempting to cross by boat, allegedly heading to Malaysia,” said Senior Commissioner Kevin Leleury, head of the NIC Task Force, at Soekarno-Hatta Airport.
Ko Erwin Shot in the Leg
Senior Commissioner Handik Zusen, Chief of Subdirectorate IV of Dittipidnarkoba Bareskrim Polri, stated that Ko Erwin resisted during his arrest. He was subsequently shot in the leg.
“His leg was shot because of an attempt to escape and resistance during the arrest,” said Handik.
Two People Assisted His Escape
Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, Director of the Crime Directorate at Bareskrim Polri, said Ko Erwin’s escape was facilitated by suspects A alias G. A alias G was instrumental in facilitating Erwin’s movement to Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra, as the departure point.
The team immediately pursued A alias G, who was known to have moved from Jakarta to Tanjung Balai following Erwin.
“Based on questioning of A alias G, it was revealed that Erwin had planned to cross to Malaysia via an illegal maritime route and had coordinated with those preparing the boat,” continued Eko.
Additionally, Ko Erwin was also facilitated by suspect R alias K. Police detained R alias K, the individual who acted as a crossing facilitator.
From R alias K’s confession, it emerged that R alias K was contacted by someone known as ‘The Doctor’ to prepare a boat to Malaysia. He, according to Eko, was aware of Erwin’s fugitive status but continued to assist due to instructions to expedite 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 payment of 7 million rupiah to someone named Rahmat,” revealed Eko.
Chronology of the Arrest
Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, Director of Dittipidnarkoba Bareskrim Polri, explained that this case originated from an investigation into drug abuse involving former Bima City Police Chief AKBP Didik Putra Kuncoro and former Bima City Police Drug Enforcement Chief AKP Malaungi.
“During the investigation process, suspicions emerged of other parties’ involvement in the narcotics distribution network,” said Eko.
From the investigation, investigators found links to other parties’ involvement in this syndicate network. As a result, AKBP Didik was dismissed dishonourably from the National Police.
During the development of the case, Ko Erwin’s name emerged. He is strongly suspected of having a central role in the narcotics trafficking syndicate.
“And is linked to suspicions of large-scale fund transfers related to payments to alleged officials intended to provide protection so that narcotics distribution could proceed unimpeded in the Bima City area,” explained Eko.
Aware that his name had entered the investigation’s scope, Ko Erwin decided to flee. He, according to Eko, intended to escape abroad to avoid investigator pursuit.
In response, a combined team consisting of Subdirectorate IV Dittipidnarkoba led by Senior Commissioner Handik Zusen and the NIC Task Force led by Senior Commissioner Kevin Leleury conducted intensive surveillance of Erwin’s close associates, including his wife, to trace the drug dealer’s whereabouts.
“On 24 February 2026 at 20:00 WIB, R alias K took Erwin to the departure point in Tanjung Balai and made a boat payment of 7 million rupiah to someone named Rahmat,” revealed Eko.
Upon confirmation that the boat had departed carrying Erwin via an illegal maritime route, the combined team immediately pursued it.
Eko noted that the traditional boat carrying Erwin had nearly reached Malaysian waters and was about to exit Indonesia’s legal jurisdiction. Through swift and measured action, the team successfully intercepted the boat.
“The team successfully identified and prevented the success of the escape, ensuring that Erwin was secured before fully entering Malaysian legal waters,” he continued.