A joint team from the National Anti-Narcotics Force (BNN), the Customs and Excise Agency, and Indonesian Immigration has uncovered a clandestine narcotics laboratory located in a private villa in Gianyar Regency in Bali.
The illegal narcotics factory was located in The Lavana De’Bale Marcapada Vlla on Jalan Padat Karya in Saba Village on Thursday, 05 March 2026. In the course of the raid, as reported by BeritaBali.com, a total of 7.3 kilograms of a synthetic stimulant – mephedrone – a “party drug” with a street value of Rp. 43.8 billion was uncovered.
The laboratory was established by a Russian armed forces veteran, identified only by the initials ST, who once worked in military intelligence, holds a degree in biology, and had rented the seaside villa. Police arrested ST (34) together with a woman, NT/KS (29), who also holds a tertiary degree in biology.
A press conference, held at the villa, was attended by BNN Head, Police Commissioner General Suyudi Aryanto Seto, accompanied by officials from the Customs and Excise Agency, Immigration, Bali Police Headquarters, and a member of the Bali Legislative Council (DPR RI). Suyudi revealed that the presence of the narcotics factory was suggested when officials uncovered that “mislabeled” chemical substances were being sent in January 2026 from China to the Gianyar Regency villa location.
During the law enforcement raid, police found items of interest and links to several vehicles and other villa locations, which now form part of the police investigation. Among the items found by police were laboratory equipment, ethyl acetate, 96% alcohol, citric acid, dichloromethane, methylamine, hydrobromic acid, chemical containers, filters, and items seen as precursors in the production of narcotics.
BNN investigators determined that the laboratory was producing mephedrone – classified as ‘Class One Narcotic” under Indonesian law.
BNN officials say the two Russians have lived in Bali since January 2026. They spent January and February 2026 preparing the illicit laboratory.
Officials found the couple had three Russian passports, each using the same photo but with different identities.
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