Detected in Thailand, Why Hasn't Drug Kingpin Fredy Pratama Been Arrested?

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Director of Drug Crimes at the Indonesian National Police Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim), Brigadier General Mukti Juharsa, said there were two reasons why had not been arrested yet. First, Fredy's disguise had not been detected because he had changed his name. Second, there was a party protecting Fredy during his escape.

Mukti said that Fredy is currently known to have changed his name. Previously, he said, the police detected that the fugitive since 2014 was in Thailand. The police had also detected Fredy's communication with a number of drug dealers in Indonesia.

He said that the detection was evident from a number of revelations that were proven to be related to Fredy. "Fredy has changed his name in the conversation. Now his conversations are getting more sophisticated," said Mukti when met at the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit building, South Jakarta, Tuesday, February 11, 2025.

In addition, Mukti suspected that there was a party protecting Fredy during his escape. However, he was reluctant to name Fredy's "protector". "He is still protected in Thailand so it is difficult for us to reach him," said Mukti.

Previously, Mukti explained that the disclosure of the smuggling of 135 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine in Aceh was connected to Fredy's network. He said that four Acehnese were arrested in the case.

The four are suspected of being Fredy's extensions to distribute the illicit goods to Indonesia. Mukti said that the drugs were smuggled by sea.

The four suspects have the initials I, F, E, and M. The arrests took place at Ujung Biang Beach, Anggar Barat Laut Village, Lhokseumawe City, on Monday, February 10, 2025.

He said that based on the suspect's confession, the crystal methamphetamine would be taken to Medan City, North Sumatra by land. Then it will be distributed to Jakarta and other big cities in stages.

Mukti added that investigators will still investigate the disclosure of this drug case. He could not yet detail the role of the suspect and how the large amount of crystal methamphetamine could have entered Indonesian territory.

"Later we will release the full details, this is still being investigated," he said.

The police said there are still many perpetrators on the Wanted List for drug cases in Thailand, including Fredy Pratama. "Because Thailand is probably a haven for drug fugitives. Many of our DPOs are in Thailand," he said.

Fredy Pratama is an Indonesian citizen who lives and controls drug trafficking from Thailand. Fredy has been on the DPO since 2014.

Previously, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo ordered the Head of the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency and the Head of the Divhubinter to continue pursuing fugitive Fredy Pratama.

"Sooner or later must be secured," said the National Police Chief on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at the National Police Headquarters building. Although he has not been able to arrest Fredy, Listyo said the National Police are continuing to comb and take action against Fredy's network in Indonesia.

Editor's Choice: 

 to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News