Bali's Regional Police have arrested three UK nationals—JC, LE, and PA—suspected of attempting to smuggle illegal drugs worth Rp6 billion (USD 396,000) into the island, reports Antara.
During a press conference in Denpasar on Friday, the Deputy Director of the Narcotics Investigation Directorate, Adjunct Grand Commissioner Ponco Indriyo, confirmed the arrest of JC (37) and LE (39) at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport on Saturday, February 1. The pair had traveled through Doha, Qatar, before arriving in Bali, where police intercepted their contraband.
Upon inspection, officers found approximately one kilogram of narcotics hidden inside food packages in the suspects' luggage. JC’s suitcase contained 637.12 grams of white powder, suspected to be a Class 1 drug, concealed within 10 packages of Angel Delight dessert powder. LE’s luggage held seven packages containing 443.10 grams of cocaine.
The suspects' smuggling plot was foiled when customs officers and Bali Police identified the contraband during an X-ray scan. Both JC and LE were detained at the airport’s customs office for further questioning.
In a follow-up operation on Monday, February 3, police officers apprehended PA (31) in Tuban, Badung District, Bali, after executing a controlled drug delivery.
Indriyo also revealed that the arrested individuals had attempted to smuggle drugs into Bali on two previous occasions. However, further details about these incidents remain undisclosed as investigations into the international drug trafficking ring continue.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
