Trail of Fugitive Drug Convict Encek from 2024 Escape to Arrest in Myanmar

The Directorate of Narcotics Crime at the Indonesian National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri) has arrested drug convict Bayu Wicaksono, alias Encek, who escaped from the Class IIB Sukadana Prison in East Lampung in 2024. Encek moved between several countries during his time on the run.

Deputy Director of the Narcotics Crime Directorate at Bareskrim Polri, Senior Commissioner Albert Raden Deddy Sulistyo Nugroho, said Encek initially escaped from prison on 21 April 2024. He then fled to Malaysia.

“It is confirmed that today the wanted person Bayu Wicaksono, alias Encek, who is also a convict who escaped from the Class IIB Sukadana Prison in East Lampung on 21 April 2024,” Albert said, as quoted on Monday (31/8/2026).

After escaping from prison, Encek continued his flight to Malaysia. Encek then fled to Thailand.

“After going from Indonesia to Malaysia, then to Thailand,” Albert said.

Albert revealed that Bayu did not merely hide in Malaysia. He said Encek was involved in controlling a transnational narcotics business during his escape.

“So during his escape to Malaysia, he continued to control his methamphetamine network across borders,” he said.

Encek then entered Myanmar. He was finally arrested on 17 July 2026.

“We have repatriated him after he was secured in the Tachileik area, on the border of Myanmar, Thailand and Laos, on 17 July 2026,” he said.

Encek was then taken to Bareskrim Polri for further examination. Police are investigating the possibility of other parties who assisted Encek’s escape over the past two years.

“The person concerned has now been secured and we have just arrived back in the country. More complete information will be conveyed after we have carried out an examination of the person concerned,” Albert concluded.