Kateryna Vakarova was stopped by customs officers at Ngurah Rai International Airport on August 3 after arriving from Poland.
An X-ray scan of her suitcase revealed suspicious packages, which later tested positive for 1.99 kilograms of 4-Chloromethcathinone (4-CMC), a powerful synthetic stimulant classified as a Category I narcotic in Indonesia.
"This is the first time this type of drug has been found in Bali," said Police Commissioner Tri Kuncoro of the Bali Narcotics Agency (BNNP).
"She acted as a courier. The drugs were in her luggage, but she claimed they weren’t hers," he added.
Authorities believe the drugs were meant to be sold to a small community of foreign users in Bali, as 4-CMC, also known as "blue safir," is relatively expensive. The drug is similar to cathinone, a stimulant found in the khat plant, and is typically consumed by dissolving it in water.
Investigators suspect Vakarova was recruited by an international drug trafficking network known as the Golden Crescent, which operates across Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of Asia.
"She was likely tempted by the money. This was her first time coming to Bali," Tri said.
Vakarova is being charged under Indonesia's strict narcotics law and faces a minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison if found guilty, he said, adding that the investigation into this case is ongoing.
Indonesia has some of the world's toughest drug laws, with severe penalties for trafficking, including life imprisonment or the death penalty in certain cases.
Indonesia continues to be a lucrative market for drug traffickers, driven by its large population and millions of users. The country’s drug trade is estimated to be worth Rp66 trillion (USD 4.3 billion).
A survey by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) estimates that 3.4 million Indonesians use drugs, with approximately 180 out of every 10,000 individuals aged 15 to 64 classified as addicts.
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Translator: Rolandus N, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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