BALINEWSID.COM, BADUNG – Immigration officers at Bali’s Ngurah Rai Immigration Office have thwarted the departure of an Australian national listed as an Interpol fugitive who allegedly used a false identity and fraudulent travel documents in an attempt to leave Indonesia aboard a private jet.

The incident occurred on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at approximately 10 p.m. local time during routine immigration checks on passengers of CAPA JET flight N917CJ, scheduled to fly from Denpasar to Maputo, Mozambique, via the South Terminal of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport.

The private aircraft carried three crew members and four foreign passengers identified as ARR of Portugal, GAM of Brazil, GS of Italy, and FMJ of Brazil.

During the immigration inspection, officers detected irregularities involving a passenger traveling under a Brazilian passport issued in the name of GAM. Immigration records showed no valid entry data or residence permit associated with the individual in Indonesia.

While the other three passengers were cleared, officers decided to delay GAM’s departure for further questioning. However, before additional measures could be taken, all four passengers reportedly re-entered the aircraft without authorization, and the plane prepared for takeoff despite instructions from immigration authorities.

In response, immigration officers coordinated with airport authorities to halt the flight and ordered the aircraft to return from the runway to the VIP Terminal. Following a search of the aircraft, officers found GAM hiding inside the plane’s lavatory, while the other passengers remained in the cabin.

Further investigation revealed that the Brazilian passport used by GAM was fraudulent. Authorities identified the suspect as AP, a 55-year-old Australian citizen born in Whyalla, Australia.

Immigration database checks subsequently showed a 100 percent match with an Interpol alert identifying AP as a wanted suspect. Information obtained from the National Central Bureau (NCB) Canberra indicated that AP was being sought by international law enforcement agencies in connection with transnational criminal activities.

According to Interpol notices, AP is believed to be a prominent figure within a Transnational Serious Organised Crime (TSOC) network and a senior member of an outlaw motorcycle gang. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) alleges that he played a key role in large-scale narcotics smuggling operations into Australia.

Authorities believe AP had been evading law enforcement for an extended period and was attempting to secretly leave the region using unlawfully obtained travel documents in order to avoid prosecution and continue criminal activities outside Australia.

Following the discovery, Ngurah Rai Immigration coordinated with the Indonesian National Police’s Narcotics Crime Directorate and the International Relations Division to further investigate the case and communicate with foreign law enforcement agencies.

At the same time, Indonesia’s Directorate General of Customs and Excise conducted inspections of the aircraft and its cargo. Given the suspected links to transnational organized crime, international cooperation was also established with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Australian Federal Police.

As the investigation proceeded, authorities imposed a departure delay on the aircraft, its crew, and all passengers. AP was formally detained, permanently blacklisted from entering Indonesia, and subsequently deported to Australia to face legal proceedings.

Ngurah Rai Immigration Office Head Bugie Kurniawan said the operation demonstrated Indonesia’s commitment to preventing transnational criminals from exploiting international transportation routes.

“Ngurah Rai Immigration continues to conduct strict and professional immigration inspections to safeguard national sovereignty and security. We want to make it clear that there is no place in Indonesia for fugitives or transnational criminals seeking refuge,” Kurniawan said.

He added that the action reflects the directive of Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko under the “Immigration for the People” initiative, which emphasizes protecting the nation while serving the public.