Seven Foreign Nationals Arrested in Rote Ndao Revealed to Be Human Smuggling Victims

Police have revealed that seven foreign nationals (WNA) arrested in Rote Ndao, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), are victims of human smuggling (people smuggling). Four of them are from China, whilst three are from Uzbekistan.

“All are male and are believed to be victims of people smuggling,” said Rote Ndao Police Chief AKBP Mardiono to detikBali on Wednesday (25 February 2026).

Mardiono identified the four Chinese nationals as HJ, JB, CY, and DG, whilst the three Uzbek nationals are identified as K, SM, and S. The seven foreign nationals have now been secured at Rote Ndao Police Headquarters for intensive questioning.

“They possess valid passports. We are currently conducting intensive investigations,” said Mardiono.

The seven foreign nationals were arrested at Masidae Beach, Inaoe Village, South Rote District, Rote Ndao, on Tuesday (24 February 2026). Police also seized the vessel used by the foreign nationals at Batutua Port, Rote Ndao.

According to Mardiono, police are still pursuing four Indonesian nationals (WNI) suspected of involvement in the people-smuggling case. “They are suspected of smuggling them to Australia, but we are still conducting a thorough investigation,” he concluded.

Previously, seven undocumented migrants were arrested by police at Masidae Beach at around 08.00 Wita on Tuesday (24 February). The arrest was made following information from the public.

The seven foreign nationals were then taken to South Rote Police Station for questioning. Upon investigation, it was revealed that they were believed to have been transported by four Indonesian nationals who managed to escape.