Russian Tattoo Artist Faces Life Sentence Over Homegrown Cannabis Operation in Denpasar
A Russian tattoo artist, Kseniia Varlamova (33), faces a potential life sentence after being charged in connection with a home-grown cannabis farm in Denpasar. She is not the grower, but prosecutors argue that she was aware of the cannabis cultivation taking place in her home and failed to report it to the authorities.
The case was uncovered on October 1, 2025, at approximately 12:30 pm. Officers from the Bali Police conducted a raid on a two-story house on Jalan Bina Kusuma IV, Ubung Kaja Village, North Denpasar, which was occupied by the defendant and her husband, Nirul Rashim Abdoelrazak.
According to the indictment by the Public Prosecutor (JPU) of the Denpasar State Prosecutor’s Office, the cannabis cultivation was carried out by the defendant’s husband since around August 2025, using hydroponic methods inside the house.
At the indictment hearing at the Denpasar District Court, the prosecutor stated that the defendant was aware of the practice.
“The defendant knew about the cannabis cultivation activity, and even took photos of the cannabis plants using her mobile phone, but did not report it to the authorities,” said JPU I Made Lovi Puspawan, Tuesday (February 24, 2026).
From the raid location, police seized cannabis in various forms, ranging from seeds, dried leaves, to fresh leaves, with a total gross weight of 278.2 grams or 130.06 grams net.
Officers also found 14 live cannabis plants with heights ranging from 15 to 100 centimeters, as well as 91 cannabis seedlings that were still in the growth stage. The plants were grown in pots, polybags, and special containers placed inside the house, indicating a structured cultivation system.
Based on the results of the Forensic Laboratory of the Bali Police, all the evidence was confirmed to be positive for cannabis, which is classified as a Group I narcotic under Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics.
For her actions, the defendant is charged with violating Article 111 paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 132 paragraph (1) of the Narcotics Law regarding the possession and cultivation of Group I narcotics in the form of plants.
This article carries a minimum prison sentence of five years and a maximum of 20 years, and can even result in a life sentence. In addition, the prosecutor also filed an alternative charge under Article 131 of the Narcotics Law, which regulates the obligation to report narcotics crimes.
(dpw/dpw)