Thailand Commits to Assisting Indonesia in Capturing Drug Kingpin Fredy Pratama

JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – The Indonesian National Police’s International Relations Division announced that Thailand’s Prime Minister has committed to assisting Indonesia in apprehending international drug trafficker Fredy Pratama.

According to Irjen Pol. Krishna Murti, head of the Division, “The Thai authorities are 100% serious about helping us with this case. They have requested some time, and there is assurance from the Thai Prime Minister.”

This collaboration between Indonesia and Thailand gained momentum after Indonesia successfully captured Thailand’s top fugitive, Chaowalit Thungduang, also known as Sia Pang Nanode or Sulaiman.

In addition to Thailand, Indonesia has received guarantees from the Philippines regarding the exchange of fugitives. This involves Alice Guo, a former mayor of Bamban, who was apprehended in Indonesia, and Gregor Johann Haas, an Australian fugitive linked to drug trafficking currently held in the Philippines.

“We have received assurances from the President of the Philippines to fully support the repatriation of the suspect, Gregor Johann Haas,” Murti stated.

Negotiations are ongoing, as Haas is an Australian citizen despite being a fugitive from Indonesia.

The discussions follow Guo’s handover to Philippine officials on September 5, 2024.

Regarding Fredy Pratama, Murti emphasized that the search for the drug kingpin will take time. “When dealing with international matters, each country’s political system is different, requiring careful diplomacy,” he noted.

Fredy Pratama, an Indonesian national, has been evading capture since 2014, operating a drug trafficking network from Thailand.

The Indonesian police have established a task force named Operation Escobar, which has arrested 60 individuals linked to Pratama’s network from September 2023 to July 2024. Those apprehended face charges not only related to drug trafficking but also money laundering. (Uki Ruknuddin)