West Nusa Tenggara Police Cooperates with PPATK to Investigate Money Laundering in the AKP Malaungi Drug Network

Mataram (ANTARA) - The West Nusa Tenggara Regional Police are working with the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) to trace money laundering offences related to the drug trafficking network of Police Commissioner AKP Malaungi.

The Director of Narcotics Investigation at the West Nusa Tenggara Police, Police Commissioner Roman Smaradhana Elhaj, in Mataram on Thursday, revealed that this effort is part of the development of the drug case involving AKP Malaungi while he served as Head of the Narcotics Unit at the Bima City Police, along with his former superior, Police Chief Commissioner AKBP Didik Putra Kuncoro, and suspected drug kingpin Koko Erwin.

“Working with financial institutions, PPATK is part of our efforts. (The money laundering investigation) is still in the preliminary stage. If sufficient evidence is found, we will then develop it into a full investigation, and we will inform you,” he said.

As an initial step in the money laundering investigation, Roman stated that they have taken legal action by requesting banks to freeze accounts under the control of AKP Malaungi.

“For now, the accounts being frozen are those controlled by the former Head of the Narcotics Unit of the Bima City Police (AKP Malaungi), and accounts held by other individuals,” said Roman.

As a form of commitment to eradicate this crime to its roots, he affirmed that the West Nusa Tenggara Police are handling this case with support from the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim).

“We will conduct a joint investigation with the Bareskrim Polri,” he said.

Roman confirmed that the designation of the three as suspects stemmed from the arrest of Bima City Police officer, Brigadier Karol, along with his wife and two subordinates.

Following this development, the West Nusa Tenggara Police conducted an examination of AKP Malaungi while he served as Head of the Narcotics Unit of the Bima City Police. The examination, which also included a urine test, revealed that AKP Malaungi tested positive for drugs.

As a result, the police obtained information about nearly half a kilogram of methamphetamine in AKP Malaungi’s possession. The evidence, weighing 488.496 grams, was found in five clear plastic bags at AKP Malaungi’s official residence in the Bima City Police dormitory complex.

The agreement, which began with the transfer of Rp1 billion from Koko Erwin to AKBP Didik through AKP Malaungi, has tarnished the integrity and commitment of the National Police in combating narcotics.

Since this high-profile drug trafficking case involving two National Police officers of middle rank, Koko Erwin has become a major target for police.

Although Koko Erwin’s personal data is said to be fully documented, his whereabouts have not yet been revealed.

In addition to allegedly receiving money from Erwin, AKBP Didik is also said to have previously received Rp1.8 billion from a suspected drug kingpin with the initials B, also known as Boy.

Thus, the total amount of funds allegedly received by AKBP Didik from the network of his former subordinate, AKP Malaungi, amounts to Rp2.8 billion.