Latvian, Swedish suspects in Bali hashish distribution: Official
Denpasar, Aug 21 (ANTARA) - The Bali Province National Narcotics Board (BNNP) said two foreign nationals from Latvia and Sweden were involved in the possession and distribution of hashish through different networks in Bali.
"The Bali Province BNN uncovered a case of illicit hashish trafficking involving the two foreigners, each using different methods," stated Senior Commissioner of Police I Made Sinar Subawa, head of the Bali BNNP Eradication Division, here on Wednesday.
The first case came to light thanks to the cooperation between the Bali BNNP and Ngurah Rai Customs on July 22. It involved a foreign national from Latvia, identified by the initials VS, who was caught smuggling 440.41 grams of hashish and 977.83 grams of marijuana.
"The narcotics were concealed in the bag the perpetrator was carrying and were discovered during an inspection by officers at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport," he stated.
On July 31, Bali BNNP uncovered the second case at a villa in Kemenuh Village, Gianyar District, Bali, with the help of collaboration between Bali BNNP and Ngurah Rai Customs, Subawa said.
He added that the disclosure and arrest were made possible by public information about narcotics abuse and trafficking in the area, which involved a foreign national from Sweden with the initials SU.
"The modus operandi used by SU involved sending a package through International Postal Parcel Thailand, which, when opened, contained four solid items identified as hashish narcotics," Subawa revealed.
After being weighed at the Bali BNNP office, the total weight of the drugs was 201.28 grams.
As a result of the incident, the two suspects are currently in temporary detention by Bali BNNP and face criminal charges under Indonesia's Narcotics Law.
Article 113, Paragraph 2, and Article 111, Paragraph 2, of Law Number 35 of 2009 impose severe penalties for trafficking or significant possession of narcotics, including long prison sentences and heavy fines for those involved in distributing or possessing large quantities of illegal drugs.
Subawa explained that hashish is a commonly abused narcotic in Bali and is frequently misused by foreign nationals.
He noted that hashish typically originates from the Middle East, Pakistan, North Africa, and Afghanistan. It has a very high THC content, which produces a hallucinogenic effect, and is classified as a Class I narcotic.
"Bali, being a popular destination for foreign tourists, is a potential market for the illicit distribution networks of international narcotics," Subawa said.
