Timeline of Fugitive Zaki's Arrest in 11kg Methamphetamine Case After Year on the Run

JAKARTA — The timeline of the arrest of fugitive Muhammad Zaki in a 11kg methamphetamine case in Dumai, Riau.

On 31 May 2025, police attempted to arrest Zaki at his residence. However, he escaped through the back door and hid in a garden area in Dusun Simpang Makmor, Makeruh, Rupat.

“According to Muhammad Zaki’s statement, he fled for about a month before returning home,” said Director of Narcotics Crime at Bareskrim Polri, Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, to reporters on Thursday (28 May 2026).

In this case, Zaki was listed as a wanted person (DPO) and suspected of acting as a maritime middleman and narcotics storage for a transnational network.

“Following up on this information, Subdirectorate IV of Bareskrim Polri’s Narcotics Crime Directorate conducted investigation and enforcement operations,” said Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso.

Based on the information, the team tracked Muhammad Zaki to Hotel City. Surveillance confirmed he was in room 302 at Hotel City Dumai on Jenderal Sudirman Street, Dumai City, Riau. Police apprehended him and searched his body and room on Sunday (24 May 2026) at 22:30 WIB.

“However, no narcotics or other illegal items were found during the search,” said Eko.

Despite this, police strongly suspect Zaki is part of a transnational drug trafficking network.

During interrogation, Zaki admitted working for Ramzi since 2025 and participating in transporting methamphetamine from Malaka to Rupat Island.

“For this work, Muhammad Zaki received a payment of Rp 5 million, transferred via Ramzi’s nephew named Asrul and then given in cash,” said Eko.