The Narcotics Directorate of the Bali Regional Police, in cooperation with Ngurah Rai Customs, successfully uncovered an international cocaine trafficking case. An Australian national identified as LAA (43) was arrested after receiving a package containing 1.7 kilograms of cocaine shipped from the United Kingdom through an international courier service.
LAA was apprehended on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at around 11:30 AM Central Indonesian Time. The arrest followed a controlled delivery operation initiated after Customs officers flagged two suspicious packages during x-ray scanning at the Denpasar Post Office.
Bali Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya revealed that the cocaine was concealed inside stationery and dolls, shipped through international postal services—a method he described as highly sophisticated for smuggling contraband.
According to CNN Indonesia, “The confiscated cocaine is estimated to be worth IDR 12 billion. With this operation, we’ve managed to save approximately 2,666 lives from the dangers of narcotics,” said Daniel during a press conference on Monday, May 26, 2025.
The investigation began when two separate packages arrived from the UK on April 12, 2025, with different sender and recipient details. The packages arrived at a postal service facility in Denpasar, Bali, on May 20, 2025. Ngurah Rai Customs officials suspected the packages contained narcotics and coordinated with the Bali Police for further investigation.
To avoid suspicion, LAA used two online motorcycle taxi drivers, identified as YE and IMS, to collect and deliver the packages. Both later testified they had no knowledge of the contents and were only following instructions to deliver them to an address in Gang Manggis, Tibubeneng Village, North Kuta, Badung.
The Narcotics Directorate divided into two teams to monitor the drivers. Once both packages were received by LAA at the specified address, officers moved in and arrested him. Upon opening the packages, they found 206 smaller packets of cocaine weighing a total of 1,713.92 grams (1.7 kg).
Additional evidence, such as a digital scale and a bundle of plastic packaging, was found in the suspect’s residence—likely used for repackaging the cocaine for distribution.
Detikbali reports, LAA claimed he was only following orders from someone he referred to as “Boss” and was promised a payment of IDR 50 million. However, police suspect LAA is part of a larger international narcotics syndicate operating in Bali.
Metrotvnews reports, The two drivers remain classified as witnesses, as they were unaware of the true contents of the packages. LAA faces severe charges under Indonesia’s Law No. 35 of 2009 on Narcotics, including:
- Article 113 (2): death penalty, life imprisonment, or 5–20 years in prison with a fine of IDR 1–10 billion plus one-third;
- Article 114 (2): similar penalties;
- Subsidiary Article 112 (2): life imprisonment or 5–20 years with a fine of IDR 800 million–8 billion.
Bali Police affirmed their commitment to fully dismantle the international network behind this case and continue working closely with relevant agencies to combat narcotics trafficking in Indonesia, particularly in Bali.
Sources: CNN Indonesia, Metrotvnews, Detikbali.