Seven Narcotics Unit Members from NTT Provincial Police Involved in Extortion Placed on Special Assignment

Former Director of Narcotics Investigations (Dirresnarkoba) at the East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Police (Polda NTT), Kombes Pol Ardiyanto Tedjo Baskoro, along with six of his subordinates, have been placed on special assignment (patsus) status after being suspected of involvement in extorting suspects in an illegal stimulant drug distribution case involving poppers. This decision was taken following an examination by the National Police’s Professional and Security Division (Propam). The Head of Public Relations at Polda NTT, Kombes Pol Henry Novika Chandra, confirmed that the special assignment decision was made by Propam at National Police Headquarters and announced on Monday (16/3). “In addition to Kombes Ardiyanto, six members of the Narcotics Investigations Directorate at Polda NTT were also examined and received the same status due to suspected involvement in the same case,” wrote Kombes Pol Henry to CNNindonesia.com on Tuesday (17/03). The six Narcotics Directorate members from Polda NTT placed on special assignment are AKP HSB, Ipda BB, Aipda OT, Brigpol AI, Briptu LBM, and Bripda JG. Henry explained that after this special assignment phase, the National Police’s Propam Division, together with the Propam Sector at Polda NTT, will conduct the case proceedings to determine the legal status of Ardiyanto and his six colleagues. The case originated between March and July 2025 when the Narcotics Investigations Directorate at Polda NTT was investigating alleged health-related criminal acts concerning the distribution of the prohibited drug poppers. During the investigation process, allegations of abuse of authority emerged, involving extortion of two suspects, SF and JH, with a total related value of Rp375 million. Previously, the East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Police Chief, Irjen Pol Rudi Darmoko, had deactivated the Narcotics Investigations Director, Kombes Pol ATB, and six other Narcotics Directorate members in the alleged extortion and abuse of authority case. “Yes, that’s correct, (the Dirresnarkoba) was deactivated along with his six members,” said Henry in his statement on Saturday night (14/3). He stated that deactivating Kombes ATB from his position was a firm step by the Polda NTT Chief to maintain the integrity and honour of the institution by strictly processing rogue members suspected of committing serious violations. Kombes ATB was deactivated because he was suspected of abusing his authority by extorting two suspects in a health-related criminal case involving the distribution of prohibited drugs like poppers. “It is suspected that the individual (Kombes ATB) along with six assistant investigators (from Ditresnarkoba) carried out extortion against two suspects with initials SF and JH, with a transaction value of Rp375 million,” Henry explained. In addition to Kombes Pol ATB, the six Narcotics Directorate members from Polda NTT who were also deactivated are AKP HSB, Ipda BB, Aipda OT, Brigpol AI, Briptu LBM, and Bripda JG. Henry noted that the extortion and abuse of authority case involving Kombes Pol ATB and his six subordinates began in the period from March to July 2025 when the Narcotics Investigations Directorate at Polda NTT was developing a case of alleged health-related crimes related to the distribution of prohibited drugs like poppers. “During that investigation process, allegations of abuse of authority emerged involving a mid-level officer with initials KBP ATB (Dirresnarkoba) along with six other members,” said Henry. He explained that the alleged illegal practices occurred through methods of asset negotiation and exploitation of the suspects’ detention period, taking place in the East Java region as well as within the Polda NTT premises. “Polda NTT is committed to taking firm action against every violation committed by rogue members. Enforcement of discipline and code of ethics is carried out professionally, transparently, and accountably to maintain public trust in the National Police institution,” he stated. Kombes ATB, as Dirresnarkoba at Polda NTT, was examined by Divpropam at National Police Headquarters, while his six subordinates were examined by Propam at Polda NTT.