BALINEWSID.COM, DENPASAR – Indonesia’s National Police, through the Directorate of Narcotics Crimes Investigation of the Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri), have uncovered an ecstasy trafficking operation at a nightclub in Denpasar, Bali.

During the operation, officers arrested three suspects and seized hundreds of ecstasy pills. The raid took place in the early hours of Sunday, March 15, 2026, at around 12:30 a.m. local time at the New Star (NS) Club located in West Denpasar.

According to police sources, the case began with public complaints about alleged long-running drug distribution activities at the venue. Acting on the information, a joint team from Sub-Directorate IV of the Narcotics Directorate and the NIC Task Force launched an intensive investigation.

On Saturday night (March 14), officers went undercover as nightclub visitors and booked a VIP karaoke room. They conducted a controlled purchase by ordering 12 ecstasy pills. During the transaction, officers moved in and arrested the main suspect, identified as Muhammad Rokip, who worked as a room captain.

A subsequent search led to the discovery of hundreds of ecstasy pills, including 38 pink “LV”-branded pills found inside the karaoke room and 600 additional pills hidden in the seat compartment of the suspect’s motorcycle.

Police also confiscated tens of millions of rupiah in cash, several mobile phones, and other personal belongings believed to be linked to the operation.

Further investigation resulted in the arrest of two additional suspects: I Wayan Subawa, a room manager, and I Gusti Bagus Adi Pramana, a waiter.

Authorities revealed that the drug distribution network operated in a structured manner using a “drop point” system, locally known as “tempel,” in which couriers delivered narcotics to designated locations in the parking area. The suspects would then retrieve and distribute the drugs to club patrons.

Police also suspect that certain members of the nightclub’s management were aware of the illegal activities and received a share of the profits, estimated at around Rp20,000 per pill.

In addition to the arrests, officers conducted a sweep of nightclub visitors. A total of 43 individuals—28 men and 15 women—were detained. Urine tests showed that 24 men and 13 women tested positive for narcotics, while seven individuals were found in possession of drugs.

All individuals have been transferred to the Bali Provincial National Narcotics Agency (BNNP Bali) for further examination, including assessments to determine whether they are users or part of the trafficking network.

Director of Narcotics Crimes at Bareskrim Polri, Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, stated that the operation revealed a systematic drug distribution scheme exploiting nightlife venues.

“This narcotics distribution was organized and involved multiple parties, including individuals within the operational management,” he said in an official statement on Tuesday (March 17, 2026).

The New Star Club has since been sealed off with police lines as investigations continue. Authorities have also installed 24-hour CCTV monitoring at the site to track ongoing activities.

Head of Sub-Directorate IV, Senior Commissioner Handik Zusen, added that the investigation is still developing, with police pursuing several suspects listed as wanted persons. Investigators are also tracing financial flows that may indicate money laundering activities.

The case remains under active investigation.