East Kalimantan Police Dismiss Officer for Drug Ring Protection

The East Kalimantan Regional Police (Polda Kaltim) have dismissed Brigadir Kepala Dedy Wiratama, a member of the Mobile Brigade Unit, for allegedly providing protection for an organized drug trafficking operation. The dismissal followed a Professional Code of Ethics Commission (KKEP) hearing on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, where Dedy also received a 15-day special placement sanction. The hearing concluded that Dedy was involved in the abuse of crystal methamphetamine.

"He was indeed sanctioned," stated Head of Public Relations for Polda Kaltim, Komisaris Besar Yuliyanto, on Thursday, June 4, 2026. The criminal proceedings against Dedy will be handled by the Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) of the Indonesian National Police, which had previously investigated the drug trafficking case in Gang Langgar, Samarinda. Director of Narcotics Crimes at Bareskrim, Brigadir Jenderal Eko Hadi Santoso, confirmed that Dedy tested positive for drugs after two urine tests.

Eko noted that Dedy had a history of disciplinary violations. He described the drug trade in Gang Langgar as open, structured, and organized, with numerous "snipers" – individuals acting as lookouts – equipped with walkie-talkies. During the night, the number of "snipers" reportedly increased to 31, compared to about 22 during the day. These lookouts would signal potential buyers with hand gestures and relay information via walkie-talkies to guides along the path to the drug selling location, known as Lapak GG Langgar Blok F.

Buyers were only allowed to enter the drug sales area one at a time, with those riding on the back of a motorcycle required to dismount and wait at a guarded intersection. Police have arrested more than a dozen suspects in connection with this case.