The National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) has successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle 135 kilograms of methamphetamine into Aceh, Indonesia. The narcotics are believed to have originated from Thailand and are strongly suspected to be linked to the notorious drug kingpin Fredy Pratama, who remains at large.
Fredy Pratama, often referred to as Indonesia’s Pablo Escobar, is one of the most infamous figures in the country’s drug trafficking scene. His criminal network controls a large portion of the methamphetamine trade in Indonesia, and despite being a wanted fugitive since 2014, he continues to elude capture.
According to Brig. Gen. Mukti Juharsa, the Director of Drug Crimes at Bareskrim, law enforcement received intelligence indicating that the meth was part of Pratama’s operations. The police suspect that he has altered his communication methods to avoid detection by authorities.
“Fredy still maintains his network in Indonesia. We detect that he continues trying to strengthen this syndicate,” Mukti said in a press briefing on February 11, 2025.
Mukti also revealed that the police are planning to use money laundering investigations as part of their strategy to trace the flow of funds leading back to Pratama.
“We need to trace the money,” he explained. “If we only arrest the perpetrators in the field, they will not confess. However, if we trace their accounts, it will definitely lead to Fredy Pratama.”
Pratama is believed to be hiding in Thailand, possibly under the protection of certain parties, which makes it difficult for the Thai government to act against him. Indonesian authorities are working with Thai law enforcement to capture him.
In the operation carried out from February 7-8, police arrested four individuals with the initials I, F, E, and M in the Aceh region. They were apprehended in Lhokseumawe City and Lhoksukon Regency.
Authorities seized a large quantity of evidence during the operation, including 135 packages of methamphetamine, concealed inside Chinese tea packages labeled ‘999’ and ’99’. Other items confiscated included a two-head engine boat, a small boat, a Thuraya satellite phone, a Garmin device, five Android cellphones, and a black Avanza car.
This bust marks another major blow to Pratama’s operations, though his capture remains a top priority for law enforcement.
