Russian Woman's Drug Lab Raided by BNN; 7.3 Kilograms of Mephedrone Seized
A joint team from the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) of the Republic of Indonesia, the Bali Regional Police and the Customs Office dismantled a laboratory and factory producing the drug mephedrone at Villa De Bale Mercapada, Jalan Padat Karya Gang Bunga Padi, Banjar Banda, in the early hours of Friday, 6 March 2026, at around 01:00 WITA.
The drug laboratory and factory producing mephedrone were owned and operated by a Russian national, identified as N, 29, and assisted by a friend identified as ST, 36. Officers seized 7.3 kilograms of mephedrone, together with all precursors and semi-finished materials ready for distribution.
Acting Deputy Director for Enforcement at the BNN RI, Brigadier General Roy Hardi Siahaan, explained that the producer and research were carried out by N alone. The 29-year-old woman holds a biology degree in Russia. She arrived in Bali at the start of January 2026, and the villa used for production was ordered online. The secluded villa in a paddy field area was a relatively quiet and safe place. However, N did not stay in the villa herself but rented another villa in Sukawati, Gianyar, Bali. During the production process, N was assisted by a Russian man also identified as ST, a former soldier.
‘The two rented a villa solely for research and production. From surveillance, they entered the villa around 22:00 WITA to 04:00 WITA, and afterwards returned to another villa in Sukawati, Gianyar Bali to sleep as usual,’ he said.
In other words, production to the finished product occurred only at night to avoid detection by residents or authorities. At the time of arrest, the two offered no resistance.
The raid was conducted with tight security involving the Saba village authorities and the head of Banjar Banda, I Kadek Dodet. From the search of the villa, officers found various chemicals and equipment suspected of being used to produce mephedrone. A large quantity of chemical liquids and alcohol were stored in several jerrycans in the suspects’ room. ‘Natalia was secured without resistance,’ he said.
According to an initial examination by the Bali Regional Police Forensic Laboratory, the liquids were suspected to be synthetic cannabinoids. The evidence is believed to be used as precursors for manufacturing mephedrone. Officers also found other chemicals such as methanol, ethyl acetate, methylamine, hydrobromic acid, and citric acid.
In addition to the chemicals, laboratory equipment such as Erlenmeyer flasks, digital scales, syringes, filters, respirator masks, and drying instruments were found. The villa was used as a clandestine laboratory to produce synthetic drugs due to its very secluded location away from the general public.
The Russian woman and ST are currently undergoing intensive questioning by the joint team. Investigations are underway to expose the network behind the case. Information gathered suggests the raid is a development stemming from a previous case at a villa in Jalan Wisata, Sukawati District, Gianyar. For all the evidence found, the Bali Police Forensic Laboratory Team has collected samples for scientific testing to confirm the chemical contents found at the site.
He explained that mephedrone is a relatively little-known type of drug in Indonesia. However, Law Number 35 of 2009 classifies mephedrone as a Schedule I narcotic, thereby illegal in Indonesia. The final product of mephedrone can appear as capsules, tablets, powder or granules, and its use may be consumed or inhaled as a vapor.
Effects of mephedrone include affecting the brain by increasing the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, producing effects resembling a mixture of stimulants and empathogens. Effects can appear within 15–45 minutes depending on the method of use (oral, inhalation, ingestion, etc.). Psychologically, effects may include intense euphoria, high self-confidence, a strong sense of closeness to others, increased libido, but reduced appetite and insomnia.
Part of the precursors for manufacturing mephedrone were purchased from abroad. This provides a lead for investigating the initial stage of the alleged mephedrone drug factory in Gianyar, Bali. This was stated by Iyan Rubyanto, Head of the Bali, NTB, and NTT Office of the Directorate General of Customs, who attended the raid briefing in Bali.
‘The case began with the dispatch of suspicious packages from China addressed to the Gianyar Post Office in Bali in January, using false data. Officers conducted in-depth investigations leading to the raid.’
‘So in this case, some items were purchased abroad and are not commonly found in Indonesia. Some other chemicals were purchased domestically,’ he said. (H-2)
BNN has uncovered narcotics laboratory activities in Bali. In the operation, a number of substances suspected of being used to manufacture the synthetic drug mephedrone were found.
Customs, together with BNN, uncovered a clandestine drug laboratory in Gianyar Regency, Bali.