LOMBOK, Indonesia — In a stark New Year’s Day operation, North Lombok Police arrested a French national and a local fisherman for allegedly distributing crystal methamphetamine, or sabu-sabu, in a quiet coastal community known more for its traditional villages and pristine bays than international crime.
The arrests, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, January 1, 2026, followed a tip-off from vigilant residents in Bayan sub-district regarding drug transactions in the area. Police swiftly launched surveillance and investigation, leading to the apprehension of the two men, identified only by their initials LR (French) and MUB (local), as they rode a motorbike through Dusun Lokok Aur around 1:00 a.m.
“After their description matched the information, the team moved in to make the arrests,” said AKP I Nyoman Diana Mahardika, Head of Narcotics at the North Lombok Police.
Upon searching the suspects, officers discovered 0.53 grams of methamphetamine concealed within a mobile phone. During interrogation, both men allegedly stated the illicit substance was supplied by an individual identified only as “H” during a roadside transaction in Bayan.
“This case is still being developed to uncover a broader distribution network,” Mahardika added, signaling further investigations are underway.
The case has drawn particular attention due to the French suspect’s prior history. LR was reportedly detained in a similar case in March 2024 but did not face prosecution after being ordered into rehabilitation by the National Narcotics Agency (BNNP) of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). “This fact is a serious concern for us,” Mahardika noted. “Law enforcement against narcotics prioritizes professionalism and does not differentiate based on the background or nationality of the perpetrator.”
Authorities confirmed urine tests for both men returned negative for narcotics use. However, police emphasized that legal proceedings will continue, as the alleged crime pertains to possession and distribution, not personal consumption. “A negative test does not automatically erase the criminal element. In this case, the focus is on the possession and alleged transaction of the prohibited goods,” Mahardika stated.
LR and MUB are currently detained at North Lombok Police Station. They face serious charges under Indonesia’s stringent narcotics laws (Article 114 of Law No. 35/2009), which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years to life imprisonment.
The arrest serves as a firm reminder of Indonesia’s zero-tolerance approach to drug offenses, applicable equally to foreign nationals and locals, even in its more remote and tranquil tourist regions.
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