North Toraja Narcotics Chief to Face Ethics Tribunal After Allegedly Receiving Weekly Payments from Methamphetamine Dealer
Senior Police Commissioner AKP Arifandi Efendi, head of the Narcotics Unit of North Toraja Police Resort (Torut), will soon face an ethics tribunal after being accused of receiving weekly payments of Rp13 million from a methamphetamine trafficker involved in drug distribution operations in Tana Toraja district, South Sulawesi.
“Yes, this Thursday the head of the Narcotics Unit of North Toraja Police Resort, along with his team, will face the tribunal,” said Kombes Pol Didik Supranoto, head of public relations for South Sulawesi Regional Police Headquarters, on Monday (2 March).
South Sulawesi Regional Police Chief Djuhandhani Rahardjo Puro provided an explanation regarding reports of the release of AKP Arifandi Efendi from special placement (Patsus).
Arifandi was detained at the South Sulawesi Police headquarters detention centre from 18 to 20 February, after which his detention was extended by three days. Subsequently, the head of the Narcotics Unit of North Toraja Police Resort was returned to his unit.
“So the process is lengthy. We can only hold someone in detention for five days at the detention centre. After that, if we find evidence of code of conduct violations, the matter is referred to the Vice-Chief or ethics body for extension,” said Inspector General Djuhandhani on Thursday (26 February).
Djuhandhani stressed that the investigation into AKP Arifandi Efendi remains ongoing, with examinations continuing.
“To date, it is still ongoing and further examinations are being conducted,” he said.
The two-star general stated that whilst no definitive conclusion has been reached regarding evidence, investigators have identified several indicators under scrutiny. “In terms of proof, we cannot yet definitively establish guilt, but based on available indicators, the individual in question is suspected of attempting to destroy evidence, and therefore appears to have committed ethical violations,” he stated.