KLUNGKUNG, Bali — In an early test for a newly formed patrol unit, police on Nusa Penida island arrested a man on Tuesday for allegedly possessing over one gram of crystal methamphetamine, a substance locally known as sabu. The suspect, identified by the initials IKS, was apprehended along the main road connecting Lembongan and Jungutbatu villages, authorities said.
The arrest by the “Patroli Jalak Nusa” unit—inaugurated just one day prior on December 15, 2025—highlights ongoing law enforcement challenges in Bali’s popular but more remote island destinations. According to police, the operation was launched after officers received a tip from the community regarding a person suspected of carrying narcotics.
A team led by Aipda I Ketut Sudiarta intercepted the suspect. A subsequent search, witnessed by local community leaders (Kelian Banjar), revealed two plastic clip bags containing a crystalline substance. Police say the suspect had concealed the bags inside packaging designed to resemble a tube of badminton shuttlecocks—a method of concealment that underscores the evolving tactics used in narcotics distribution.
The gross weight of the seized material was approximately 1.25 grams, with a net weight of 1.01 grams after analysis. The suspect and evidence were transported to the Nusa Penida Police Station before being handed over to the Klungkung Police Narcotics Unit for further investigation and legal processing.
In a statement, Nusa Penida Police Chief AKP I Ketut Kesuma Jaya framed the arrest as a demonstration of the unit’s commitment. “This success is a result of our personnel’s quick response to community reports,” he said on Wednesday. “It serves as proof of our seriousness in eradicating narcotics abuse to maintain security and safeguard the future of the younger generation on Nusa Penida.”
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the drug trade’s reach, even to islands primarily known to global travelers for their dramatic cliffs and pristine diving sites. For expatriates and tourists, it underscores the severe legal risks and stringent penalties associated with narcotics in Indonesia, regardless of location. The arrest also signals a more visible police presence in the Nusa islands, an area experiencing rapid tourism growth.
Hey Bali News provides factual, contextual reporting on events shaping life in Bali for its global audience.
Reported by Fabio Agung
Written by Hey Bali Newsroom
