Bali Tourists Warned About Indonesia’s Strict Drug Rules

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Tourists traveling to Bali, and Indonesia more broadly, are being reminded of the country’s incredibly strict drug laws.

Indonesia has one of the world’s strictest drug policies, where the worst offences carry the death penalty. 

The Indonesian government and law enforcement agencies are reminding tourists, digital nomads, business travellers, and expats that the country’s zero tolerance on narcotics remains as strong as ever.

The news comes after a South African national and a Brazilian national were threatened with the death penalty after allegedly attempting to smuggle 1kg of methamphetamine and 3kg of cocaine into the country.

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A South African national, known by her initials LN, was arrested on suspicion of couriering narcotics early last week. A press statement has subsequently been issued by the Bali Provincial National Narcotics Agency (BNNP) Office on the operation, which was led directly by the Head of BNNP Bali, Brigadier General Rudy Ahmad Sudrajat.

The Head of BNNP Bali Eradication, Kombes Pol I Made Sinar Subawa, explained that the LN was suspected by Ngurah Rai Customs officers after landing at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. Kombes Subawa confirmed that LN traveled to Bali from Singapore on a Singapore Airlines flight. He confirmed that this was the first time LN traveled to Indonesia, and the sole purpose of her visit is suspected to be the distribution of drugs. He confirmed, “Methamphetamine with a total weight of 990,83 grams net was hidden in the underwear she used.”

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Officers proceeded with investigating LN after a standard inspection procedure was carried out using an X-ray machine on the LN luggage, which found one plastic-wrapped package containing methamphetamine-type narcotics. “In addition, 100 US dollars and IDR 1.0002,000 in cash were secured as well as other narcotics evidence.”

Kombes Subawa told reporters, “LN admitted that she brought methamphetamine-type narcotics from Johannesburg to Bali on the order of someone called Sindi to be handed over to someone in Bali.”

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In a separate case, the BNNP Bali also secured a 25-year-old man from Brazil with the initials YB, who was caught carrying 3 kilograms of cocaine.

YB, who was recorded to be entering Bali for the first time, is suspected of being involved in an international narcotics network referred to as the Brazil-Bali network, and was arrested on suspicion of acting as a courier. He was secured at the International Arrival Terminal of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Bali Airport on 13th July 2025.

Kombes Sinar told reporters during a press conference, “The confiscated cocaine weighing 3,089.36 grams of Netto was hidden in the luggage walls of suitcases and backpacks.”

He confirmed that YB traveled via an Emirates Airlines plane on the Dubai – Denpasar route and landed at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. He added, “After conducting an inspection procedure using an X-ray machine on YB’s luggage, 2 plastic clips containing cocaine-type narcotics were found.”

YB admitted to carrying the narcotics into the country and revealed that he had orders to hand over the packages to someone within the network waiting for him in Bali. 

Kombes Sinar added, “This YB in Brazil works non-permanently; he does this because of the economic pressure to take care of his family in Brazil.”

During the press conference, the Head of BNNP Bali, Brigadier General Rudy Ahmad Sudrajat, confirmed his commitment to eradicate the illegal circulation of narcotics by again noting success in uncovering a number of drug cases that are a serious threat to the nation’s generation.

He concluded BNNP Bali never stops working in implementing P4GN and collaborating with other law enforcement officers as an effort to realize a Bali Clean from Drugs.”

Tourists traveling to Bali are reminded that Indonesia has a strict zero-tolerance policy on narcotics, including substances that have been legalised or decriminalized in other countries for health or recreational use, including all cannabis-related products.