Fake passports used by Russians at Bali drug laboratory

Two Russian nationals, Sergei Tras (30) and Natalia Tomberg (29), who were arrested for manufacturing mephedrone weighing 7.3 kilograms in Gianyar, Bali, were found to have used fake passports while operating on the island. The discovery came after a joint team raided two different locations in Gianyar on Thursday (5 March 2026) at about 11.30 pm WITA. At the first location, Villa Renas Kubu, officers seized Sergei Tras. From this location, authorities recovered a Russian passport, a bag containing evidence, and a container with chemical liquids believed to be precursors for drug manufacture. Meanwhile, at the second location, The Tetamian Bali, officers arrested Natalia Tomberg. From the white Toyota Agya car she rented, officers found several chemical liquids believed to be linked to drug production. In addition, officers found a passport suspected to be forged under the name Kseniia Kozina. The passport is believed to have been used by Natalia to rent the vehicle and the villa during their stay in Bali. After arresting the pair, the joint team proceeded to Villa De Bale Marcapada in the Saba area, Blahbatuh District, Gianyar, around 12.45 am WITA. There, officers uncovered a clandestine laboratory for drug manufacture. Two rooms in the villa functioned as production sites for mephedrone, complete with jerrycans containing chemical liquids. Acting Deputy for the Narcotics Eradication Directorate (Plt) Brigadier General Roy Hardi Siahaan said that in this case there is a third Russian national with initials SK alias KS who acted as the boss/handler. “After we questioned the two individuals (Tras and Natalia), we designated (SK) as a DPO (wanted person),” Hardi told reporters at a press conference at the secret factory on Jalan Padat Karya, Blahbatuh, Gianyar, on Saturday (7 March 2026). Hardi explained that SK had stayed in Bali for about a month before Tras and Natalia arrived. While in Bali, SK received a number of parcels containing chemical liquids imported from China. Afterward, SK returned to Russia. Even while abroad, he continued to control Tras and Natalia’s activities in Bali, including importing chemicals using Natalia’s name. Some chemicals sent from China to Bali included hydrobromide and methylamine. Both substances were then collected by Tras and carried to the villa on Jalan Padat Karya, Saba, Blahbatuh, Gianyar to produce mephedrone. “These two chemical liquids are precursors for the addictive substance (narcotics) known as mephedrone. According to Health Ministry Regulation No. 15 of 2025, they are classified as Narcotics Category 1,” he said. Over around two months in Bali, Tras and Natalia produced mephedrone in powder and crystal forms, totalling 7.3 kg. Bali’s Deputy Police Chief Brigadier General I Made Astawa said the drugs were marketed by SK via dark web marketplaces or anonymous markets on the dark web. Purchases were paid for using cryptocurrency. “Not everyone can access SK’s drug listing on the dark web; you need an ID (account) to access it. Payments are also made in crypto or Bitcoin,” Astawa said. Now Sergei Tras and Natalia Tomberg must answer for their actions before the law. They are charged under Article 114 of Law Number 35 of 2009 on Narcotics, as well as several other criminal provisions, with the possibility of the death penalty.