A Turkish national identified as Halil Sener, also known as H.S. (26), was arrested at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali after authorities discovered more than one kilogram of cocaine in his possession.
The arrest was carried out by officers from the Bali Regional Police Narcotics Investigation Directorate in coordination with Ngurah Rai Airport Customs. Police said the case is being investigated as part of a suspected international narcotics trafficking network.
Bali Regional Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Aditya stated that the arrest began on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, at approximately 5:00 p.m. Customs officers became suspicious of a foreign male passenger arriving on Emirates flight EK368 from Dubai.
“The suspicion arose after an X-ray scan revealed an anomaly in the passenger’s backpack,” Daniel said during a press conference at the Bali Regional Police Headquarters in Denpasar on Saturday, 7 February 2026.
Cocaine Found Hidden in Backpack
During the inspection, customs officers found a clear plastic package containing white powder concealed inside a black CAT backpack belonging to the suspect.
“A clear plastic package containing white powder was found on the back of a black CAT backpack belonging to a man named H.S.,” Daniel said, as quoted by Liputan6.
Following the discovery, customs officers coordinated with the Bali Regional Police Narcotics Investigation Directorate. At around 7:00 p.m. WITA, officers from the Narcotics Directorate arrived at the Ngurah Rai Airport Customs Office to conduct a further examination.
A search of the suspect and his belongings led to the discovery of Class I narcotics, identified as cocaine. Police said the seized drugs weighed 1,328.80 grams in gross weight and 1,295.20 grams in net weight.
In addition to the cocaine, police secured several items as evidence, including the black CAT backpack, a customs declaration form, a boarding pass, and a white iPhone 11.
Police Investigate Alleged International Network
Director of the Bali Police Narcotics Investigation Unit, Senior Commissioner Radiant, said the suspect admitted that he had been instructed by an individual identified as Miami, also known as M, to transport the drugs to Bali.
“He picked up the goods at M’s direction from a hotel in Brazil to take them to Bali,” Radiant said.
According to police, the suspect claimed he had not yet received any payment for transporting the narcotics.
“Because he considered himself only transporting the goods, and would be paid upon their arrival,” Radiant added.
Police stated that H.S. acted solely as a courier and planned to hand over the cocaine to M upon arrival in Bali. The recipient’s whereabouts are currently under investigation.
Daniel said investigators believe the case may be linked to an international drug trafficking network.
“We continue to develop and uncover networks linked to the perpetrator. It is likely an international network and other illicit trafficking activities related to cocaine in Bali,” he said.
Daniel added that the seizure of the drugs potentially prevented further harm. “With the confiscated evidence weighing 1,295.20 grams net, we estimate we have saved around 3,000 lives from drug abuse,” he said.
For his alleged actions, Halil Sener has been charged under Article 609 paragraph (2) letter a of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code, in conjunction with Law Number 1 of 2026 concerning Criminal Adjustments.
The charges carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or up to 20 years in prison, and/or a fine of up to Category VI. Police said subsidiary charges with similar penalties are also being prepared.
Cover Photo by Kindel Media/Pexels
