Kazakhstani man arrested at Ngurah Rai with over 2.5 kg of cocaine in suitcase

International Arrivals Terminal — On 14 April 2026, customs officers and police arrested a 24-year-old Kazakhstani man at the international arrivals terminal after X-ray screening of his suitcase allegedly revealed more than 2.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in its inner wall.

Why it matters: The case highlights strict narcotics enforcement at Bali’s main airport and the risk of severe penalties for foreign visitors caught importing drugs.

According to Bali Police, the suspect, identified by the initials YK, had arrived at the airport carrying a green suitcase that appeared suspicious when scanned at the customs inspection area for international passengers.

Officers conducted a detailed examination and found an aluminium-foil package hidden in the back wall of the suitcase containing eight clear plastic bags filled with white powder.

The police public relations division stated that forensic laboratory tests confirmed the substance as a Category I narcotic of the cocaine type, with a net weight of 2,544.10 grams, equivalent to slightly more than 2.5 kilograms.

In a separate account of the case, a Bali-based news outlet reported that the total gross weight of the cocaine packages was 2,843.50 grams, with the same net weight figure of 2,544.10 grams accepted by investigators and prosecutors.

The police statement said the drugs were allegedly concealed in the inner wall of the suitcase to avoid detection during airport screening and were packed in a way that blended with the structure of the luggage.

Investigators from Bali Police said the suspect told officers he had received the suitcase from a man named Igor in Poland, who promised him a payment of US$1,000 in exchange for transporting the luggage to Bali.

Police added that the man known as Igor has been placed on a wanted list as part of efforts to identify the broader network behind the shipment.

The Kazakhstani suspect was later transferred to detention for further investigation and case preparation by narcotics investigators.

Local media coverage quoting court documents and prosecutors in Denpasar has since identified the suspect by name and reported that he faces trial in Denpasar District Court on charges related to importing more than five grams of non-plant Category I narcotics.

Prosecutors have outlined the sequence of events from the airport arrest to the laboratory testing of the seized cocaine and the filing of charges under Indonesia’s narcotics law, which carries the possibility of a lengthy prison term for trafficking offences.

As of the latest reports published on 21 September 2026, proceedings in Denpasar District Court are ongoing, and the court has not yet handed down a verdict in the case.

The case adds to a series of recent narcotics interdictions involving foreign nationals at Bali’s main airport, prompting repeated reminders from customs and narcotics authorities that Indonesia imposes severe penalties for drug trafficking.

Sources

• Humas Polri
• Pantau Bali
• Balipost.com
• Detik Bali
• Indonesian Updates