Indonesian authorities have arrested two Russian nationals suspected of smuggling drugs into Bali following a high-speed car chase that resulted in several pedestrians being hit, officials reported. The duo, a 52-year-old woman and a 40-year-old man, were apprehended for attempting to smuggle nearly eight kilograms of hashish from Thailand.
A statement from the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) confirmed the seizure of 7.8 kilograms of hashish. BNN chief Suyudi Ario Seto shared details of the arrest, stating that the woman, identified as “KK,” arrived at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta airport and then drove to Bali in a rental vehicle. There, she met the man “SK” at a seaport on Friday.
The agency explained that “SK” picked up “KK” and the suitcase of hashish, dropping her off before trying to flee. Authorities pursued him, noting his reckless driving that caused harm to local residents, before successfully stopping the vehicle.
Both individuals were taken into custody on Friday, and BNN released images of the suspects alongside a photograph of the suitcase containing the drugs. An investigation is underway to determine if the pair is part of a larger drug syndicate.
Indonesia is known for its stringent anti-drug laws, including death sentences for traffickers, although a moratorium on executions has been in place for several years. The last execution occurred in 2016 when one Indonesian and three Nigerians were executed for drug offences.
Several international cases have highlighted Indonesia’s tough stance on drug crimes. In December 2024, Mary Jane Veloso was removed from death row and returned to the Philippines. Five members of the “Bali Nine” ring were sent back to Australia while serving heavy prison sentences. Recently, two British men received prison sentences for cocaine smuggling in March, and a Peruvian woman was arrested in August for trying to smuggle cocaine using a sex toy and hiding it in her underwear.