Suspected of Backing Drug Dealer, North Toraja Narcotics Unit Chief Arrested
The Head of the Narcotics Investigation Unit at North Toraja Police, Adjunct Commissioner of Police (AKP) Arifan Efendi, along with the unit’s deputy head, Adjunct Inspector (Aiptu) Nasrul, have been detained by a special team from the South Sulawesi Provincial Police on suspicion of involvement in drug trafficking within their jurisdiction.
The two police officers were arrested following examination records from a suspected drug dealer in Toraja who admitted to making weekly cash payments to officers at the North Toraja Police station.
“The North Toraja narcotics unit chief has been placed on special assignment. For now, two individuals linked to this matter are suspected of involvement,” said South Sulawesi Provincial Police Internal Affairs Division Chief, Commissioner of Police Zulham Effendi, when contacted by journalists in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Sunday, 22 February 2026.
He confirmed that the case is under investigation by the Internal Affairs investigative team, with intensive examinations still under way. Further inquiries continue to be conducted regarding the two police officers.
“The point is, there is no place for those who play games, especially when it involves narcotics. We are still investigating the extent of each individual’s involvement and their respective roles,” Zulham affirmed.
Separately, North Toraja Police Chief Senior Commissioner Stephanus Luckyto Andry Wicaksono stated that his office had fully handed the matter over to the South Sulawesi Provincial Police Internal Affairs Division to process the alleged involvement of his two subordinates.
“The narcotics unit chief and his deputy have not yet been designated as suspects, but are classified as persons under examination or suspected of ethical code violations over alleged involvement in drug trafficking,” he said.
Stephanus emphasised that his office would take firm action against any personnel found to have committed violations. He also noted the commitment of South Sulawesi Provincial Police Chief Inspector General Djuhandhani Rahardjo Puro to eradicating drug trafficking, including within the police force itself.
“In accordance with the South Sulawesi Police Chief’s orders, we are committed to showing zero tolerance for any violations committed by our members, particularly if they are proven to be involved in drug trafficking,” he stressed.
Drug Dealer’s Payments
The case came to light after the North Toraja Police narcotics team previously raided the home of a content creator suspected of being a drug dealer in Rantepao. Four individuals were detained along with evidence — identified by their initials as MJ, D, AD, and ET alias O.
The breakthrough followed the arrest of one of the suspects at Makale Terminal. During interrogation, the individual admitted to obtaining the illicit substances from a drug dealer with the initials ET, who works as a content creator.