(Jakarta) The Indonesian National Narcotics Agency has revealed that the tourist destination of Bali has increasingly become a distribution hub for transnational drug trafficking syndicates. Not only are trafficking networks active, but drug manufacturing factories and marijuana plantations have also been set up locally, essentially turning the area into a hotbed for drug lords.
The head of the Indonesian National Narcotics Agency, Martinius, recently pointed out that several transnational drug syndicates are now operating rampant in Bali. They use blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies for anonymous transactions, making it more difficult for law enforcement to track them down.
“They use encrypted messaging apps like Telegram to send coordinates for pick-up locations. The entire transaction can be contactless and completed in as little as two minutes, making it nearly impossible to trace,” he said. Drug syndicates also rent private villas as drug laboratories and indoor marijuana growing facilities.
The drug-involved groups include networks originating from Southeast Asia's 'Golden Triangle' and Southwest Asia's 'Golden Crescent' regions. In addition, Mexico's largest drug cartel, the Sinaloa Cartel, has also appeared in Bali.
Martinius said that due to increased crackdowns on transnational drug lords in the United States, these groups have relocated to seek new markets and targeted Bali, Indonesia, mainly smuggling drugs in by air.
He also pointed out that Ukrainian and Russian drug networks have recently become increasingly active in Bali. Authorities are working with their Russian counterparts to track down and combat these groups.
Data shows that police in Bali arrested over 1,300 drug-related suspects last year, an increase of nearly 23% from the previous year. Seizures included 21 kilograms of methamphetamine, more than 18,000 ecstasy pills, and nearly 90 kilograms of marijuana—reflecting the increasingly serious local drug problem.