Indonesia, Russia join hands to strengthen drug eradication in Bali

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and Russia's Internal Affairs Ministry agreed to strengthen cross-border drug eradication cooperation in the 2026-2027 period, focusing on hot spots such as Bali.

According to the agency head, Commissioner General Suyudi Ario Seto, Indonesia and Russia concurred that drug smuggling is a transnational crime that requires collective efforts in its eradication.

"This cooperation is expected to break the drug supply chain, restrict international drug networks' movement, and strengthen efforts to protect the people from drug abuse, especially in tourism destinations, such as Bali," Seto said in his remarks received here on Saturday.

He explained the collaboration was strengthened following an earlier operation targeting a clandestine mephedrone drug laboratory in Bali that involved Russian nationals.

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The cooperation focuses on the exchange of real-time intelligence data and synergy between law enforcers and immigration authorities to optimise monitoring in drug hot spots, Seto stated.

Indonesia and Russia agreed to enhance information exchange on new psychoactive substances (NPS), including those disguised in e-cigarettes.

The two countries also concurred to bolster digital-based monitoring by carrying out capacity building in digital forensics, cyber investigation, and the tracking of crypto assets used by drug syndicates for money laundering.

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Besides strengthening law enforcement cooperation, Indonesia will also step up public education and drug prevention efforts, he said, adding that the country is imposing severe penalties on any foreign nationals involved in drug syndicates operating in Indonesia.

According to BNN, the cooperation agreement with the Russian ministry was signed at a meeting in Moscow on June 22-23, 2026.

On the occasion, the Indonesian delegation was welcomed by Russian Deputy Minister Igor Zubov and Director of the Main Directorate for Drug Control Ivan Gorbunov.

During the visit to Moscow, the Indonesian delegation also observed the Safe City System and the central laboratory at the Internal Affairs Ministry to study Russia's drug monitoring works and forensics technology.

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Translator: Agatha Olivia V, Nabil Ihsan

Editor: Fransiska Ninditya

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