Two Police Officers Embroiled in Drug Trade, Received Payments from Dealer
Two Police Officers Embroiled in Drug Trade, Received Payments from Dealer
A number of Indonesian National Police (Polri) officers are currently entangled in drug trafficking cases, with some alleged to have received money directly from drug dealers.
At least two members of the police force have come under scrutiny. They are former Bima City Police Chief Senior Commissioner Didik Putra Kuncoro and the Head of the Narcotics Unit at North Toraja Police, Chief Commissioner Arifan Efendi.
The Case of Senior Commissioner Didik
The National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) has named Didik as a suspect in drug abuse. Didik was found guilty of possessing a white suitcase containing narcotics that had been entrusted to First Inspector Dianita in Tangerang, Banten.
In the case against Didik, police seized drug evidence comprising 16.3 grams of methamphetamine, 49 ecstasy tablets and 2 partially used tablets (23.5 grams), 19 Alprazolam tablets, 2 Happy Five tablets, and 5 grams of ketamine.
Didik also tested positive for drug use based on a Hair Follicle Drug Test conducted in a laboratory.
Beyond this case, Didik was also named a suspect for receiving proceeds from drug crimes by the West Nusa Tenggara Regional Police on Monday (16 February).
Didik allegedly received Rp2.8 billion in drug proceeds from a dealer known as Koh Erwin, channelled through his subordinate Chief Commissioner Malaungi, the Head of the Narcotics Unit at Bima City Police. The money was received by Didik between June and November 2025, in three instalments: the first of Rp1.4 billion, the second of Rp450 million, and the third of Rp1 billion.
As a consequence, Didik has been dishonourably discharged from the police force. He has also been immediately detained at the Bareskrim detention facility.
The Case of North Toraja Police Narcotics Unit Head
Following Didik’s case, it was the turn of North Toraja Police Narcotics Unit Head, Chief Commissioner Arifan Efendi, who was arrested in connection with drug trafficking in the North Toraja Regency, South Sulawesi. He was apprehended along with a fellow officer with the initials N, who served as a unit head.
“That is correct, we have already placed them under Special Placement for preliminary examination,” said the Head of the South Sulawesi Regional Police Professional and Security Division, Zulham Efendy, on Sunday (22 February).
The case began when a man identified as ET, alias O, was arrested by Tana Toraja Police personnel for possessing 100 grams of methamphetamine.
During questioning, ET implicated officers at North Toraja Police as having received payments of Rp13 million per week since September 2025.
“This will be investigated further, to determine the extent of involvement and each person’s role,” Zulham said.
Furthermore, Zulham emphasised that his office would take firm action against any police officers involved in drug trafficking cases. He stated there would be no place for officers implicated in drug cases.