Senior Commissioner Radiant, head of Bali’s narcotics unit, said the man known as "Mr. C" is on the wanted list and believed to have provided seeds to NR (31), a Dutch man, and his wife KV (33), a Russian national.
“Based on the suspect's statement, he received the seeds from someone called Mr. C. We are tracking his whereabouts,” Radiant told reporters Friday.
NR was named a suspect after a police raid on Wednesday (October 1) at a house on Jalan Bina Kusuma IV in North Denpasar. KV remains under questioning as a witness.
Police are investigating a broader drug network and funding linked to the couple’s operation.
“We are following leads on Mr. C and the distribution network in Bali, including the source of the seeds,” Radiant said.
Authorities are also probing whether cannabis from the farm has been sold. Though unclear if distribution began, evidence at the scene suggests intent.
“There was a digital scale, indicating possible plans to sell,” Radiant said.
The couple reportedly outfitted the house with cooling systems, temperature controls, irrigation, fertilization setups, artificial lighting, and CCTV.
Police believe the operation was well-organized for long-term cultivation and possible distribution.
Despite the fact that Indonesia enforces strict drug laws, with severe penalties including life imprisonment or death for trafficking, the country, including Bali, remains vulnerable to drug trafficking from both local and international networks.
The country’s drug market is valued at an estimated $4.3 billion, with 3.4 million users nationwide, according to the National Narcotics Agency.
On August 3, for instance, a 21-year-old Ukrainian woman was arrested in Bali for allegedly smuggling nearly two kilograms of synthetic drugs.
Kateryna Vakarova was stopped by customs officers at Ngurah Rai International Airport after arriving from Poland.
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Translator: Rolandus N, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Arie Novarina
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