inp.polri.go.id - Balikpapan. The East Kalimantan Regional Police are hunting for a Malaysian citizen suspected of being the main supplier of narcotics in an international network. The pursuit began after police uncovered a large-scale distribution of methamphetamine and ecstasy pills in Balikpapan City.

The East Kalimantan Regional Police Narcotics Investigation Directorate previously confiscated 2.92 kilograms of methamphetamine and approximately 1,900 ecstasy pills from several suspects arrested last week.

The Director of Narcotics Investigation at the East Kalimantan Regional Police, Senior Superintendent Romylus Tamtelahitu, stated in Balikpapan on Sunday (9/13/2026) that the network is suspected to have been operating since 2025.

"We have identified one of the perpetrators, the owner of the goods, and the team is currently pursuing them," he said.

Romylus said the Malaysian citizen is on the wanted list. Police are considering pursuing the suspect as a crucial step in breaking the chain of narcotics distribution all the way to the source of supply.

The unraveling of this network began with the arrest of WS, a driver employed by the Balikpapan City Land Office.

WS was arrested with a man identified as IN in his official car. During the arrest, police found 15 ecstasy pills and a package of methamphetamine.

Two days later, police arrested suspect BD without resistance at his home on Ahmad Yani Street, Gunung Sari Ilir, Balikpapan City.

From questioning BD, investigators learned that the narcotics came from a woman identified as CJA, a lawyer.

CJA fled to Jakarta. However, the East Kalimantan Regional Police's Narcotics Directorate team pursued her for two days and finally apprehended her.

The investigation into CJA later revealed the roles of several individuals in the network, including her boyfriend, BG, and her brother, WS.

"It's clear that CJA's role was as a supplier, her brother BG as the medium, and WS as a courier," said Romylus.

Investigators then expanded their investigation by visiting CJA's parents' residence. During a search, witnessed by the local neighborhood head, police found nearly 3 kilograms of methamphetamine in several packages and nearly 2,000 ecstasy pills in CJA's room.

Based on the case, the East Kalimantan Regional Police strongly suspect that the network is linked to an international drug syndicate originating from Malaysia.

Therefore, police are continuing to hunt down the Malaysian national suspected of being the supplier to further uncover the drug's entry and distribution routes.

Romylus also urged the public to assist the police in narrowing down the drug network's reach in East Kalimantan.

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