BALINEWSID.COM, BADUNG — The Bali Police Maritime and Air Police Directorate (Ditpolairud) has uncovered a suspected methamphetamine trafficking operation in the coastal area of Kedonganan, Kuta, Badung, arresting a man identified by the initials MK at a rented room on Tuesday (August 18, 2026).

MK, a man from Melaya Village, Jembrana Regency, was arrested at a boarding house located behind an grilled-fish restaurant on Pantai Kedonganan Street.

Bali Police Public Relations Chief Senior Commissioner Ariasandy said the investigation began after local residents reported concerns over alleged drug trafficking activities in the coastal area.

Acting on the information, investigators from the Subdirectorate for Law Enforcement (Gakkum) of the Bali Police Maritime and Air Police Directorate, led by AKBP Nanang, conducted surveillance around the Kedonganan Beach area.

Officers reportedly became suspicious of MK’s movements at one of the boarding houses. During a subsequent search witnessed by local residents, police allegedly found four plastic sachets containing clear crystalline substances suspected to be methamphetamine in MK’s possession.

Investigators also found several suspected methamphetamine packages on the floor of the room. The packages were allegedly concealed in yellow and red drinking-straw segments and wrapped with black tape.

Police then expanded the search and reportedly discovered four additional plastic sachets containing suspected methamphetamine inside a spirit level hanging on the wall near the room’s entrance.

Authorities seized a total of eight plastic sachets containing crystalline substances suspected to be methamphetamine, along with two packages wrapped in yellow straw, two packages wrapped in red straw and two packages wrapped in black tape.

Other evidence included a bundle of empty plastic sachets, six pieces of drinking straw, a set of equipment allegedly used to consume methamphetamine, a lighter, three pieces of glass, Rp900,000 in cash and a black Redmi mobile phone.

MK was taken to the Bali Police Maritime and Air Police Directorate headquarters along with the seized evidence for further investigation.

Police said MK is suspected of violating Article 114 paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 112 paragraph (1) of Indonesia’s Law No. 35 of 2009 on Narcotics, which carries a prison sentence.

Ariasandy stressed that the Bali Police would continue to take firm action against drug trafficking, particularly in Bali’s coastal areas.

“We will not give any room whatsoever for drug trafficking, particularly within the jurisdiction of the Bali Police,” Ariasandy said.

He also expressed appreciation to residents who reported suspected criminal activity in their communities and urged the public to immediately contact the police if they encounter suspicious activities.

“The police guarantee the confidentiality and safety of residents who make reports, and we will certainly follow up on every report,” he said.