Police Bust THC Vape Factory in Bali, Three Foreign Nationals Arrested
JAKARTA, July 6 — Indonesia's Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police have dismantled an international narcotics network involved in the production and distribution of THC-filled vape cartridges, arresting three foreign nationals and uncovering a home-based manufacturing operation in Bali.
The investigation began with the arrest of a United States citizen identified as BSM at Terminal 2 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on April 13, 2026. Further investigation led officers to raid a villa in Badung, Bali, which police said was being used as a THC vape production site.
On April 20, police arrested two Tunisian nationals, identified as GNH and AEP, in Kediri, Tabanan Regency, Bali.
Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police Chief Senior Commissioner Wisnu Wardana said the operation was conducted in cooperation with customs authorities and other agencies.
"This success is the result of cooperation and synergy between the Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police Narcotics Unit, Customs and Excise, and related agencies. We will continue to take firm action against any form of narcotics crime that threatens public safety," Wisnu said in a statement on Sunday.
Police seized 2,134 grams of THC liquid, 18 vape cartridges ready for distribution, 322.99 grams of marijuana, 66.47 grams of MDMA, 4.51 grams of LSD, and one ecstasy pill.
Officers also confiscated laboratory equipment allegedly used to manufacture the THC vapes, including portable stoves, Teflon pans, measuring cups, glycerin, empty cartridges, packaging tools, and communication devices.
According to investigators, BSM admitted producing around 2,000 THC vape cartridges per month since August 2023. The products were allegedly marketed through social media and delivered using online motorcycle taxi services, while payments were made via bank transfers and cryptocurrency.
Police said GNH acted as a supplier of narcotics, while AEP served as a courier delivering drugs to buyers in Bali. Authorities are still searching for another suspect, identified as SR, who is believed to be the main supplier of marijuana and MDMA to the network.
Investigators estimate the operation had the potential to generate monthly revenue of around 10 billion rupiah ($615,000), based on a production capacity of about 2,000 units per month with an estimated street value of 5 million rupiah per cartridge. If the operation had been running continuously since 2023, total revenue could have reached approximately 300 billion rupiah, police said.
The suspects have been charged under Indonesia's 2009 Narcotics Law, which carries penalties ranging up to death.(Made/Tri Utami)
