BALINEWSID.COM, GIANYAR –  Two Russian nationals identified as ST (male, 30) and NT (female, 28) were arrested by a joint law enforcement team on Thursday (March 6, 2026). The pair are strongly suspected of being involved in a narcotics case after allegedly operating a clandestine drug laboratory inside Villa De Bale Marcapada in Saba, Blahbatuh, Gianyar.

The case was uncovered following a tracking assistance request from the Directorate of Immigration Intelligence at the request of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) on February 4, 2026. BNN had identified NT as allegedly being involved in a narcotics trafficking network.

Immigration intelligence officers from Ngurah Rai Airport then conducted travel data tracking and field surveillance. An investigation carried out on February 5 revealed that the residential address registered by NT in Ungasan, Badung Regency, was fictitious.

Based on this finding, a joint team intensified its investigation into the suspects’ whereabouts, eventually leading authorities to two separate locations in Gianyar.

At the first location, Villa Renas Kubu, officers arrested ST and confiscated a Russian passport, a bag containing evidence, and a gallon of chemical liquid suspected to be a raw material for producing narcotics.

Meanwhile, at the second location, The Tetamian Bali, officers apprehended NT and seized chemical liquid evidence hidden inside a rented car. Officers also discovered a passport suspected to be fake under the name Kseniia Kozina, which NT allegedly used to rent vehicles and villas.

Further investigation from both arrests led the joint team at around 12:45 a.m. WITA to Villa De Bale Marcapada in Saba, Blahbatuh, Gianyar. It was at this location that authorities discovered the clandestine laboratory.

Two rooms inside the villa had been converted into drug production areas, complete with jerry cans containing chemical substances used in the manufacturing process.

Acting Deputy for Eradication at BNN, Brig. Gen. Roy Hardi Siahaan, revealed during a press conference at the secret lab site in Blahbatuh on Saturday (March 7, 2026) that ST was a former Russian military intelligence officer.

“ST used to be a Russian military intelligence officer but is no longer active due to a back injury. As for NT, she previously studied biology,” Hardi said.

Hardi explained that ST and NT were not acquainted with each other and were merely acting as operatives controlled by a Russian national identified as SK, who is believed to be abroad.

“They are not husband and wife. They didn’t know each other before. However, they were able to coordinate because they were controlled by SK,” Hardi added.

According to investigators, NT was paid Rp30 million and provided with a free villa in Gianyar for two months. Meanwhile, ST did not receive a salary but was provided with free accommodation at a villa in the Sukawati area.

Head of the Ngurah Rai Class I Special Immigration Office, Bugie Kurniawan, said the success of the case disclosure was the result of strong inter-agency collaboration.

“In addition to the narcotics criminal process handled by BNN, from the immigration side we will ensure strict law enforcement regarding the alleged use of a fake passport and the misuse of residence permits,” Bugie stated. (FF)