Bali Authorities Seize Another Shipment Of Drugs Bound For New Year’s Eve Celebrations

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The National Narcotics Agency in Bali has successfully intercepted a stash of drugs set for distribution around the island during Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. The National Narcotics Agency (BNI) has arrested an Indonesian national in connection with the drugs shipment which arrived on the island from the UK.

Bali’s BNN successfully seized 200.76 grams of cocaine, with an estimated street value of IDR 1 billion (USD 62,000). During a press conference on Wednesday, 7th December, the BNN also showcased narcotics seized in other raids conducted in October and November. These missions included arrests and the recovery of considerable amounts of marijuana.

Speaking to the press, the Head of the BNN Narcotics Eradication Unit, Putu Agus Arjaya, told reporters that the cocaine was shipped to Indonesia from the UK. They believe that the real masterminds are operating a drug syndicate from outside of Bali, using local people as runners in return for large amounts of cash.

Arjaya explained, “The perpetrators were ordered by someone who we are currently doing an in-depth investigation [on], we mapped out in collaboration with the Customs and Excise Office of the Bali NTB NTT Regional Office”. He shared that the Indonesian man arrested for receiving the parcel, known by his initials AJ, was promised a salary of IDR 10 million for distributing the drugs across Bali.

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Arjaya continued, “Now in Bali, the price of cocaine ranges from IDR 4-5 million per gram. The amount [seized] was 200g, so it would be around IDR 1 billion if cashed”. The media also heard from the Head of the BNN Bali Province, Bridagider General Police Raden Nurhadi Yuwono said that the arrest and successful interception of the drug operation comes as a result of a collaboration between the BNN Narcotics Eradication Unit, Bali Customs Office, and Ngurah Rai Customs.

He told reporters how officers were alerted to a parcel suspected of continuing drugs at a postal warehouse in East Denpasar. Police conducted surveillance and tracked the parcel’s recipient. At the right moment, police moved in to arrest AJ, who is an online motorcycle taxi driver originally from Bondowoso in East Java.

Upon opening the parcel, officers found the stash hidden in a pair of shoes. Aj has been charged with possessing narcotics with intent to supply and now faces a minimum of five years in jail, though the maximum sentence for drug charges in Indonesia is life in prison.

Police are confident that the 200g of cocaine were due for reselling around the Christmas and New Year holidays. They believe the demand for cocaine especially comes from foreign tourists. At the end of November, Bali Police announced one of their most successful drug busts of the year to date.

Badung Police intercepted a drug dealer in South Bali who had received a hefty shipment of narcotics set for distribution and sale during the end-of-year holidays. They subsequently confirmed the arrest of 40-year-old Andi Prayitno in Legian and told the media that he was an ‘old player’ in the underworld of drug dealing in Bali.

During the operation, police seized one kilogram of methamphetamine and 2,000 ecstasy pills. Prayitno told police that he had received just IDR 1 million for receiving the shipment and would receive payment again after cutting and distributing the drugs around the Badung area during the New Year holidays.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, 28th November, the Head of the Denpasar Police, Kombes Pol Bambang Yugo Pamungkas, said, “Members conducted an investigation for about two weeks. It is known that this suspect was going to take items deposited at a hotel in Legian. After taking the items deposited right in the hotel lobby, members immediately ambushed him”. Prayitno remains in police custody on drug charges and faces years behind bars.