Police Shoot Drug Trafficker Ko Erwin's Leg During Arrest After Resistance

JAKARTA — The Directorate of Narcotics Crime (Dittipidnarkoba) of the Indonesian National Police’s (Polri) Criminal Investigation Directorate shot the leg of drug trafficker Erwin Iskandar, alias Ko Erwin, during his arrest after he resisted capture and attempted to flee.

Head of Subdirectorate IV of Dittipidnarkoba, Police Senior Commissioner Handik Zusen, stated that the measured forceful action was taken because Erwin attempted to escape. “He attempted to flee and there was resistance during the arrest,” Handik told reporters on Friday, 27 February 2026.

Erwin was arrested by a combined team from Subdirectorate IV and the NIC Task Force of Dittipidnarkoba whilst attempting to flee to Malaysia. The Director of Narcotics Crime at Polri’s Criminal Investigation Directorate, Brigadier General Police Eko Hadi Santoso, confirmed the capture of the fugitive.

“It is confirmed that fugitive Erwin has been arrested by the Combined Team from Subdirectorate IV and the NIC Task Force of Dittipidnarkoba. Further details will be provided during a press conference,” Eko said.

Erwin was apprehended one day after a nationwide wanted person notice (DPO) was issued and distributed throughout police ranks. He was captured whilst attempting to flee the country by sea towards Malaysia.

Ko Erwin is currently at the Police Criminal Investigation Directorate headquarters. He arrived at 11:35 a.m. local time and was using a wheelchair. He is known to have multiple addresses in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) and South Sulawesi (Sulsel).

Erwin is alleged to have operated as a drug trafficker in Bima City, NTB, and is said to have delivered 2.8 billion rupiah to the former Police Chief of Bima City, Police Senior Commissioner Didik Putra Kuncoro.

Didik’s involvement in the case emerged after the NTB Regional Police uncovered police officers involved in drug trafficking networks in Bima City, including Maulangi, who previously served as the Head of the Narcotics Division of Bima City Police.

“The total sum of money delivered to Police Senior Commissioner Didik Putra Kuncoro amounts to 2.8 billion rupiah,” Eko stated.

Since 16 February 2026, the NTB Regional Police have named Didik as a suspect for allegedly receiving proceeds from illegal drug trafficking. Beyond the fund flow case, Didik is also entangled in a narcotics possession case now being handled by Polri’s Criminal Investigation Directorate.