Executive Summary
- Interpol fugitive Dewi Astutik was arrested in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, following a joint operation by Indonesian and Cambodian authorities.
- The suspect is alleged to be a key member of the Fredy Pratama network and was linked to a foiled plot to smuggle two tons of methamphetamine.
- Intelligence from a 2.3-kilogram heroin seizure at Soekarno-Hatta Airport enabled officials to track the syndicate’s operations.
- Astutik is being processed for repatriation to Indonesia, where she faces severe penalties under the country’s strict drug laws.
Indonesian authorities have apprehended Interpol fugitive Dewi Astutik in Cambodia, identifying her as a central figure in the Fredy Pratama narcotics syndicate responsible for coordinating massive international drug shipments, according to the National Narcotics Agency (BNN).
Comr. Gen. Suyudi Ario Seto, chief of the BNN, confirmed the arrest on Wednesday, stating that the operation was the result of extensive diplomatic coordination with Cambodian law enforcement. Authorities detained Astutik in Sihanoukville as she departed a hotel in a white Toyota Prius, accompanied by an unidentified male associate. Following her capture, she was transferred to Phnom Penh for identity verification and is currently awaiting repatriation to Indonesia.
The investigation leading to Astutik’s arrest was initiated after Soekarno-Hatta Customs officials intercepted a shipment containing 2.3 kilograms of heroin and cocaine. Gatot Sugeng Wibowo, chief of customs at the airport, stated that this specific seizure provided the critical intelligence linking the contraband to Astutik’s broader network and facilitating the joint operation.
Authorities allege that Astutik, also known as "Mami," masterminded a foiled plot in May 2025 to traffic two tons of methamphetamine, valued at approximately 5 trillion rupiah (US$325 million), from the Golden Triangle. BNN officials reported that she recruited operatives for Asian and African syndicates and coordinated the distribution of cocaine, methamphetamine, and ketamine across East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa. She is also reportedly wanted by authorities in South Korea.
Indonesia maintains some of the world’s strictest narcotics laws, where trafficking large quantities of drugs can result in life imprisonment or capital punishment. BNN data indicates the country remains a significant market for syndicates, with the drug trade valued at an estimated 66 trillion rupiah.
Transnational Law Enforcement Cooperation
The apprehension of a high-profile fugitive in Cambodia underscores the increasing necessity of cross-border collaboration in dismantling sophisticated drug syndicates operating within the Golden Triangle. By leveraging diplomatic channels and intelligence sharing, Indonesian agencies successfully extended their jurisdictional reach, disrupting a supply chain that spans multiple continents. This arrest highlights the operational shift towards targeting logistical coordinators rather than low-level couriers to dismantle the financial and operational backbones of illicit networks. It is important to note that all individuals, including Astutik, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
