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Indonesian authorities have dismantled a clandestine drug production operation hidden in a luxurious villa in South Kuta, Bali, seizing narcotics valued at a staggering Rp 1,5 trillion (approximately $100 million).
The operation, believed to have been running for two months, was uncovered through an extensive investigation following a drug seizure in Yogyakarta in September.
“This lab was producing a significant quantity of narcotics, including solid and liquid hashish as well as Happy Five pills,” said National Police Criminal Investigation Unit Chief Wahyu Widada during a press briefing at the site on Tuesday.
Happy Five pills, also known as nimetazepam, are a type of sedative-hypnotic medication often abused for their calming and euphoric effects. Classified as a psychotropic substance in many countries, they are highly addictive and widely trafficked in Southeast Asia, despite being banned for non-medical use.
The raid led to the arrest of four Indonesian nationals who were involved in the manufacturing and packaging of the drugs.
Authorities are pursuing eight additional suspects, including two Ukrainians believed to lead the operation.
A Network Spanning Indonesia and Beyond
The investigation began with the seizure of 25 kilograms of hashish in Yogyakarta, intended for shipment to the Netherlands. Subsequent probes revealed that the drugs were produced in Bali. The suspects reportedly moved their operation across Denpasar before settling in the Ungasan villa, which was raided on Monday afternoon.
The lab’s sophisticated setup included equipment imported from China, capable of producing industrial-scale quantities of drugs.
Among the evidence seized were 18 kilograms of solid hashish, 35.710 Happy Five pills, and nearly 800 cartridges of liquid hashish.
Additionally, police found 270 kilograms of hashish powder, sufficient to produce over 2.700 bars of hashish, and enough precursors to manufacture millions of pills.
New Year’s Eve Target Market
Authorities disclosed that the network, led by a fugitive known only as DOM, planned to flood Bali and Java with narcotics for New Year’s Eve celebrations in 2025. A portion of the drugs was also intended for export.
“The scale of production suggests the intent to distribute both locally and internationally,” Wahyu said, adding that police are intensifying efforts to capture DOM and other high-level suspects.
Cracking Down on Narcotics
Wahyu praised the collaboration between the National Police and Bali Police in bringing the operation to light. As the investigation continues, authorities are analyzing the supply chain and financial networks tied to the lab.
“This is a warning to drug networks,” Wahyu stated firmly. “Indonesia is not a safe haven for your operations.”
The suspects face severe penalties under Indonesia’s strict anti-narcotics laws, including the possibility of life imprisonment or death sentences.
