BNN Dismantles Narcotics Lab Run by Two Russian Nationals in Bali

The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) of the Republic of Indonesia dismantled a clandestine laboratory that produced the synthetic narcotic mephedrone. In the joint operation, authorities arrested two suspects who were Russian nationals. The two Russian nationals are a man with the initials TS (34) and a woman with the initials NT (29).

Head of BNN RI, Commissioner General Pol Suyudi Ario Seto, said the success was the result of a joint operation between BNN RI, the Directorate General of Customs, the Directorate General of Immigration, and Bali Police, conducted intensively since January 2026. “Until we managed to uncover the clandestine lab operating in Gianyar Regency, Bali, and captured two suspected perpetrators who are Russian nationals,” Suyudi said, at a press conference in a villa used as the narcotics laboratory at Jalan Padat Karya, Banjar Banda, Blahbatuh District, Gianyar Regency, Bali, on Saturday (7/3).

Acting Deputy for Eradication of the BNN Brigadier General Pol Roy Hardi Siahaan said the disclosure of the two perpetrators and the evidence was conducted over two days from Thursday (5/3) and Friday (5/3). He said the two suspects were arrested in different villas in Gianyar Regency, Bali. “We were able to secure two Russian nationals and a number of materials used to produce the synthetic narcotic mephedrone,” Roy said.

The chronology began with the shipment of suspicious packages from China addressed to a post office in Gianyar, Bali, in January 2026 using forged data. From there, authorities conducted an in-depth investigation.

Then, on Thursday (5/3) at around 23:45 WITA, the joint team captured a woman with the initials NT at a villa in Sukawati, Gianyar. Shortly thereafter, the suspect TS was also arrested at a villa in the Sukawati area.

From that location, officers found a vehicle key and another villa key, which led to further investigation.

Officers subsequently searched an LCGC car and found a number of pieces of evidence used in the production of mephedrone.

After raiding the suspect’s car, the team expanded the investigation on Friday (6/3) at around 01:00 WITA, at a villa on Jalan Padat Karya, Banjar Banda, on Saturday.

The villa is located in a rural rice field area not far from the main road. There the joint team found various materials and equipment for the clandestine laboratory. The discovery of this illegal laboratory producing a Class 1 narcotic of the mephedrone type is substantial, with 7.3 kilograms of mephedrone recovered.

” globally I can say that this [evidence] is the largest at 7.3 kilograms,” Roy stated.

Background of the suspects and the fugitive

Suspect NT has a background of studying at the Biology Faculty in Russia and worked as a mephedrone mixer or producer.

According to the suspect TS, he previously served as a soldier in Russia. His role in the case was to receive chemical supplies and then be dropped at the villa to make mephedrone. “He said he is no longer a soldier due to some neural disorder in his back. We cannot conduct detailed examinations yet, as we will carry out further checks that relate to the evidence at the crime scene,” he said.

Both entered Bali in January 2026 and began production about two months ago.

Additionally, officers found three passport documents in NT’s room. “The first passport is the one NT uses in Russia. There are two other passports with different names but the photo is of NT. Then there is another passport with a different name but the same person. So the three passports will be checked by immigration,” he said.

It is also suspected that the two suspects are controlled by a Russian woman with initials KS who is now on the Wanted Persons List (DPO). “The two suspects do not actually know each other. So the controller is most likely KS, who has become a DPO. So far, checks three days ago show she was in Dubai,” he added.

Modus operandi

Preliminary checks indicate the mephedrone was prepared by NT daily, with production occurring overnight from 00:00 to 04:00 WITA.

Roy noted that the illicit goods were still in production and had not yet circulated. “We were able to uncover and arrest, and prevent circulation. So after completing the operationalisation related to the production of the mephedrone, we immediately arrested the individual,” he said.

He explained that mephedrone is processed into powder and crystals, the forms that would be distributed. The substance is inhaled, though it can be used in several ways: it can be burned like methamphetamine, formed into pills or ecstasy, and there are liquid forms that can be injected.

Additionally, during monitoring, the suspects frequently moved between villas and ordered chemical precursors online using fake names, with some precursors imported from China and some domestically.

“After monitoring from January until now, the final operation yesterday (Thursday), we carried out the red planning execution and recovered 7.3 kilograms of evidence,” he said.

The illicit goods are believed to be intended for distribution to the Russian community in Bali. “Based on our intelligence, there is a Russian community here. We have yet to develop or direct investigations there because, on one hand, there are limitations; the suspects have not (willingly) disclosed information,” Roy explained.