Koh Erwin Resists Arrest and Nearly Escapes to Malaysia

Head of the Special Task Force for Drug Enforcement at the Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Indonesian National Police (Bareskrim Polri), Kombes Kevin Leleury, disclosed that during the arrest operation against suspected major drug trafficker Erwin, alias Koko Erwin, the suspect offered resistance to police officers.

“There was some resistance, but minimal, which we were able to manage,” Leleury stated in Tangerang, Banten, on Friday.

Koko Erwin, who allegedly acted as a supplier of both money and narcotics to the former Police Chief of Bima, AKBP Didik Putra Kuncoro, was successfully apprehended in the Tanjung Balai area, North Sumatra, whilst attempting to cross into Malaysia on Thursday (26 February).

During the arrest operation, authorities also detained two other suspected accomplices, identified as A, alias Y, and R, alias K.

“The suspect (Koko Erwin) was arrested whilst attempting to cross using a vessel headed for Malaysia,” he said.

Leleury stated that the two individuals were found to have played a role in assisting Koko Erwin in fleeing to Malaysia to evade police apprehension.

“Suspect A, alias Y, was arrested in Riau, whilst R, alias K, was arrested in Tanjung Balai along with Erwin,” he added.

Based on interrogation results, the primary suspect had reportedly planned to flee abroad following preparations made after learning he was a wanted person. In this regard, Leleury emphasised that Koh Erwin is a major methamphetamine kingpin operating in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). He is suspected of having supplied both money and narcotics to Kuncoro.

“Further details regarding the connections will likely be explained at the forthcoming press conference,” he said.