BNN uncovers narcotics laboratory in Bali; two Russian nationals arrested

Two Russian nationals were arrested by the Indonesian National Narcotics Agency (BNN) yesterday. The arrestees are NT, a woman, and TS, a man, who were apprehended in a two-day operation by the BNN together with Customs and Excise and the Immigration Service in Gianyar, Bali. The operation uncovered a clandestine laboratory producing narcotics, and investigators found materials believed to be used for manufacturing the synthetic drug mephedrone. The case began with the shipment of suspicious packages from China addressed to a post office in Gianyar in January, using fake data. After thorough investigation, around 23:45 WITA on Thursday 5 April, NT was arrested at a villa in Sukawati, Gianyar. From that location, officers recovered a vehicle key and a key to another villa, steering the investigation forward. A subsequent search of a lightweight commercial vehicle (LCGC) uncovered items believed to be used in mephedrone production, including white and blue containers of ethyl acetate, a box of clothing containing two glass bottles, alcohol 96%, various liquids, green mineral bottles, residue containers labelled EA, methylamine bottles, filters, bottles, and a bottle labelled AG+ silver, among other items. After this vehicle search, authorities expanded the operation on Friday 6 April, around 01:00 WITA, to another villa in Blahbatuh, Gianyar, where they found a range of materials and equipment associated with a clandestine laboratory, including blue plastic containing citric acid, an orange container with cloth, white bags containing liquids, yellow and brown liquids, and a brown bottle of dichloromethane, as well as glassware with residues and plastic clips containing white crystalline residues suspected to be mephedrone. Other seized items included methylamine bottles, hydrobromic acid bottles, additional brown and clear liquids, filter papers with residues, a green bucket with brown liquid, black plastic containing a dolphin salt (two bags), bottles of clear liquid, and plastic clips containing crystals thought to be mephedrone. A digital scale, clear plastic wrap, a fruit dryer, respirator masks, filter papers, a 2-litre Erlenmeyer, hoses, and syringes were also seized. Based on findings and laboratory analysis by the BN Laboratory’s Narcotics Section, the substance produced at the clandestine laboratory was confirmed to be mephedrone, classified as a Schedule I narcotic. BNN Head Inspector General Suyudi Ario Seto stated in a press briefing that the agency would continue to strengthen cross-agency cooperation to dismantle international drug networks seeking to use Indonesia as a production or distribution hub. ‘Law enforcement will be carried out firmly to protect the public and safeguard the nation’s future from the narcotics threat,’ he said.