A French citizen identified as Quentin alias QAAS (35) has been arrested in Bali after police discovered several vape pods containing liquid marijuana (THC vape) during a roadside inspection in Canggu, Badung Regency.
The incident occurred on Friday, 28 November 2025, at around 1.30 p.m. local time, when officers from the Badung Police Traffic Unit and the North Kuta Police were managing traffic at Pipitan Intersection, Canggu, during a ministerial visit to the area.
According to Badung Police Chief AKBP M. Arif Batubara, officers noticed a foreign motorcyclist driving without a helmet and number plate while showing erratic behaviour.
“At that time, the attention of the personnel on duty was drawn to a male foreign motorcyclist who was driving recklessly and exhibiting suspicious behaviour,” said Batubara at a press conference on Monday, 1 December 2025, as reported by Beritasatu.
When stopped by traffic officer Brigadier Andre, the man reportedly resisted questioning.
“However, when asked to be questioned, the foreigner refused and nearly injured the officer, then stepped on the gas and fled towards Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong,” Batubara added.
The attempted escape caused congestion and drew attention from local residents before joint officers succeeded in apprehending the suspect.
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Search and Evidence Seized
A search was conducted immediately at the scene in the presence of witnesses. Police found multiple containers believed to contain THC liquid and small quantities of narcotics.
Items recovered from the suspect’s right trouser pocket included two vape pods filled with THC liquid, a plastic roll containing marijuana, a plastic bottle, and a glass bottle, both containing THC liquid.
From the left pocket, officers found two additional THC vape pods, a plastic clip containing cocaine, and a mobile phone. Another phone was discovered under the seat of the suspect’s motorcycle.
Following the arrest, police conducted a search of the suspect’s rented residence at The Jineng Bali Villa, Pengayehan Hamlet, Cemagi Village, Mengwi District. The villa, reportedly rented for IDR 25 million per month, contained what police described as a storage area for drug paraphernalia.
The evidence included 147 empty vape pods packed in three white boxes, two bundles of empty plastic clips, a syringe, five mobile phones, and a samurai sword.
At the same location, police also detained an American citizen identified as KRL (62), who admitted to living with QAAS. Officers found three vape pods containing THC liquid in their shared room.
During questioning, both men claimed that the drugs had been obtained around ten months earlier from an unidentified woman in the Canggu area, who allegedly gave them the substances before travelling overseas.
Police: ‘A Unique Case’
Police described the case as unusual because the narcotics were processed into a liquid form for vape use.
“This drug case is a bit unique, different from the usual types of methamphetamine or marijuana. This drug is processed into a liquid, making it somewhat unique in its use,” said Batubara.
He confirmed that investigators were still tracing the distribution network behind the seized vape pods.
“Our initial investigation is still in the development stage regarding where they were sold and how they were marketed. We have not confirmed whether the goods have been widely distributed, but we have seized them because the drug is unique,” Batubara explained.
“What is clear is that we do not want to make assumptions. When the person concerned explains where they were marketed, we will pursue them.”
Both suspects remain in custody at Badung Police Headquarters while further forensic tests are conducted on the seized liquids and packaging materials.
Under Articles 111 (1) and 114 (1) of Law No. 35 of 2009 on Narcotics, they face a minimum sentence of four years and a maximum of 12 years’ imprisonment, as well as fines ranging from IDR 800 million to IDR 8 billion.
