BALINEWSID.COM, BADUNG – A major drug trafficking network operating inside Bali’s Kerobokan Penitentiary was uncovered after the Directorate of Security and Intelligence (Ditpamintel) of the Directorate General of Corrections (Ditjenpas) conducted a surprise inspection in the early hours of May 20, 2026.

The raid, which began at around 2:00 a.m. local time, resulted in officers discovering various types of narcotics, mobile phones, and alcoholic beverages inside Kerobokan Class IIA Prison, the largest correctional facility in Bali.

Following the discovery, Kerobokan Prison chief Hudi Ismono was suspended from his position pending an internal investigation.

Head of the Bali Regional Office of the Directorate General of Corrections, Decky Nurmansyah, emphasized that Hudi had not been dismissed, but temporarily deactivated during the ongoing investigation process.

“More precisely, he has been suspended temporarily,” Decky said when contacted on Sunday (May 24, 2026).

According to Decky, Hudi Ismono, along with several prison officers and guards, is currently undergoing intensive questioning by the Director of Security and Intelligence and the Director of Internal Compliance of Ditjenpas in coordination with Bali Police.

“My apologies. I will make an official statement once I am permitted to do so. But what I can share is that the prison chief and several officers are still under examination,” he stated.

The large-scale inspection targeted prison cell blocks and inmates throughout the facility. After the search operation concluded, Ditjenpas officially reported its findings to Bali Police at around 5:00 p.m. on the same day.

In response, Bali Police deployed the Director of Narcotics Investigation along with a special team to receive the report and take custody of evidence seized during the raid.

However, authorities have yet to disclose the exact quantity or weight of narcotics confiscated during the operation.

“The investigation is still ongoing as previously explained. Further details will be announced later,” Decky said on Friday (May 22, 2026).

In addition to coordinating with Bali Police, Ditjenpas is also working together with Indonesia’s National Narcotics Agency (BNN RI) to further develop the case.

Drug trafficking inside Kerobokan Prison is not a new issue. The prison has long been under public scrutiny over allegations that narcotics transactions have continued to operate from behind bars.

Since Hudi Ismono assumed office as prison chief on January 22, 2025, there had reportedly been no major anti-drug inspections until the Ditpamintel operation conducted in May 2026.

Authorities are now attempting to dismantle the prison drug network entirely and trace all parties involved. The public is closely watching whether this latest crackdown will finally break the cycle of narcotics trafficking inside Kerobokan Prison or once again fade without significant results.