inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Bangka Belitung Islands Regional Police Drugs Criminal Investigation Directorate has named one suspect in a case of alleged meth distribution controlled by inmates at the Pangkalpinang Class IIA Narcotics Penitentiary.
"The naming of an inmate at the Pangkalpinang Narcotics Penitentiary as a suspect follows the development of a methamphetamine seizure in May 2026," explained the Director of Drugs Criminal Investigation at the Bangka Belitung Islands Regional Police, Senior Superintendent Ronald F. Sipayung, on Monday (7/6/2026).
The case was uncovered through collaboration between the Bangka Belitung Islands Regional Police's Narcotics Investigation Directorate and the Pangkalpinang Class IIA Narcotics Penitentiary, which began with the arrest of suspect FB on May 7, 2026.
"We thank the Warden Head and his staff for their support in the investigation, allowing this case to be developed to the point of naming an inmate as a suspect," said Ronald.
The case began with the uncovering of drug trafficking on May 7, 2026, with the arrest of suspect FB (34), a contract state worker, along with initial evidence of approximately 1.6 kilograms of meth.
However, laboratory tests showed that not all of the evidence was methamphetamine; some of it was found to be rock sugar, which was allegedly used to mix the narcotics.
In addition, police also confiscated nine ecstasy pills and two cell phones belonging to suspect FB.
He said investigators then examined the contents of FB's two cell phones through digital forensics. Data extraction revealed intense communication via WhatsApp with an account named "Sinchan" that had been ongoing since February 2026.
Based on the investigation, suspect FB admitted to receiving approximately four kilograms of meth from the account for distribution in Bangka Belitung, particularly in Pangkalpinang and Central Bangka.
"The communication between the two was very intense. We also found photos, drawings, maps, and conversations related to narcotics trafficking activities," said Ronald.
Investigators then coordinated with the Pangkalpinang Class IIA Narcotics Prison to trace the identity of the account's owner. The investigation led to an inmate with the initials CH alias KE, who was serving a six-year sentence for narcotics offenses.
In late May 2026, officers conducted a search and confiscated two mobile phones suspected of being used by the inmate. The digital analysis of these devices was then matched with data from FB's mobile phone.
Investigators charged the suspects under Article 114 paragraph (2) of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics in conjunction with Article 609 paragraph (2) letter a of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code in conjunction with Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 1 of 2026 concerning Criminal Adjustments, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Investigators are continuing to develop the case to uncover the main narcotics supplier and the network behind the two suspects.
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