Bali Police Foil 2.5 Kg Cocaine Smuggling, Russian Bule Arrested

DENPASAR - The Bali Regional Police Narcotics Investigation Directorate thwarted an attempt to smuggle more than 2.5 kilograms (kg) of cocaine, which is suspected to be part of an international network involving a foreign national YK (24) from Russia.

Director of Narcotics Investigation of the Bali Police, Kombes Radiant, said that the disclosure was the result of cooperation with the Ngurah Rai Customs.

"The method is to carry cocaine-type narcotics on the back wall in a suitcase from Poland," he said.

This case is contained in Police Report Number: LP/B/317/IV/2026/SPKT/Polda Bali dated April 11, 2026.

The disclosure began on Friday (10/4) at around 20.00 WITA, when joint officers suspected a male passenger of a foreign citizen who arrived at the International Arrival Terminal of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport.

The passenger was known to use a Polish Airlines plane with the route Istanbul-Denpasar.

Officers then examined the passenger's green suitcase using an X-ray machine and found suspicious items hidden in the inner wall of the suitcase.

After being dismantled, eight clear plastic packages containing white powder wrapped in aluminum foil were found.

"The results of the forensic laboratory test stated that the goods were positive for Class I narcotics of the type cocaine with a weight of 2,544.10 grams net or more than 2.5 kilograms," said Radiant.

The police then arrested a suspect with the initials YK (24), a foreign citizen from Russia.

From the results of the examination, the suspect admitted to carrying the suitcase at the order of a person named Igor who met him in Poland with the promise of a reward of 1,000 US dollars.

The suspect also received an advance of 200 US dollars, a round-trip plane ticket, and accommodation facilities in the form of a villa in Canggu for seven nights.

Upon arrival in Bali, the suspect was planned to be contacted by another party to pick up the suitcase, but the plan was successfully thwarted by the officers.

In addition to narcotics evidence, the police also secured a Boreja brand suitcase, boarding pass, and two mobile phones belonging to the suspect.

Police estimate that the value of the cocaine evidence reached IDR 17.8 billion and has the potential to save around 12,720 lives.

For his actions, the suspect was charged with Article 609 paragraph (2) letter a of the Criminal Code in conjunction with Law Number 1 of 2026 with a threat of death penalty, life imprisonment or a maximum of 20 years.

The Bali Police Narcotics Investigation Directorate confirmed that it would continue to develop the case to uncover the drug trafficking network, both nationally and internationally.

In addition, the police will also strengthen synergy with related agencies in efforts to eradicate the illicit circulation of narcotics in the Bali Police's jurisdiction.