National Police Criminal Investigation Agency Uncovers Suspected Drug Network at White Rabbit, Director and Manager Arrested
The Narcotics Crime Directorate of the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency is expanding its investigation into the alleged drug trafficking case at the White Rabbit nightclub on Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta. In the latest development, police have arrested White Rabbit director Alex Kurniawan and Operations Manager Yaser Leopold Talahatu.
“This arrest is a follow-up to the previous raid at the White Rabbit entertainment venue. We secured suspect Yaser at Chasbullah Abdulmadjid Hospital in Bekasi, and suspect Alex at his residence in North Serpong, South Tangerang,” stated Director of Narcotics Crimes at the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency, Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, in his statement on Wednesday (25/3).
Based on the investigation results, the Criminal Investigation Agency suspects that drug distribution at White Rabbit took place with the knowledge and approval of the management. Yaser, as Operations Manager, is alleged to have given instructions and approvals every time there were drug orders from guests via waitstaff.
Meanwhile, Alex Kurniawan is suspected of allowing the practice to continue and providing security assurances so that the illegal activity did not disrupt operations at his nightclub. Police suspect this tolerance was done to maintain visitor numbers and business turnover.
“Suspect Alex admitted that drug trafficking at his venue has been ongoing since 2024. The motive was to allow it so that his business remained viable. He also mentioned a figure with initials KOKO who coordinated the distribution there,” said Eko.
The case was initially uncovered after a joint team led by Commissioner Handik Zusen and the NIC Task Force under Commissioner Kevin Leleury arrested five individuals. They consisted of two dealers, Farid Ridwan and Erwin Septian, as well as three White Rabbit employees with initials RE (supervisor), MHN (captain), and RF (server).
From examinations of those employees, investigators then traced the alleged involvement of management, leading to the arrests of Yaser and Alex.
During the arrests, police also seized several pieces of evidence in the form of mobile phones, including an iPhone 14 Pro, Google Pixel, and Vivo Y28, which are suspected of being used for communication and coordination related to drug trafficking.
Now, both suspects have been brought to the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Directorate office at the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency for intensive examination. Investigators are also conducting digital forensics on the seized communication devices, while tracing fund flows allegedly related to the illicit business.
“We are not stopping here. We will trace assets and fund flows related to potential Money Laundering Crimes (TPPU) from the proceeds of this drug business,” said Eko.