The National Narcotics Agency (Badan Narkotika Nasional or BNN) discovered a drug laboratory in Gianyar, Bali, which was controlled by foreign nationals from Jordan and the Philippines.
According to the Head of the BNN Public Relations and Protocol Bureau, Sulistyo Pudjo Hartono, the secret drug laboratory also involved several Indonesian citizens as its operators. Various types of drugs were found in the laboratory, which was located in a villa on Keliki Street, Payangan, Gianyar.
A foreigner from the Philippines, suspected to be one of the two main controllers of the laboratory, has been detained by the authorities. The other controller, a foreigner originating from Jordan, remains at large as of the publication of this article.
“This clandestine laboratory contains Class 1 narcotics, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), fentanyl, and various other substances,” Hartono told the press on Monday, 22nd of July.
The discovery of this lab was especially noteworthy as Hartono further revealed that this was the first time the existence of DMT drugs had been discovered in Indonesia. DMT is commonly known as a substituted tryptamine compound, found in many plants and animals. This substance, moreover, is a derivative and structural analogue of tryptamine. DMT can cause highly lucid hallucinations and is often abused as a psychedelic, recreational drug.
The discovery of this laboratory, according to Hartono, was the result of BNN’s cyber patrols. Before making their arrest, BNN discovered that the drugs manufactured in the laboratory had been distributed online.
“We got information on the internet and it turned out that the source was in Bali,” Hartono continued.
Besides DMT, fentanyl was also discovered at the scene of the crime. Fentanyl is infamous for its effects of altering its users’ consciousness and behaviour, hence often referred to as the ‘zombie’ drug.
With the discovery of DMT and fentanyl, BNN implored the public and the locals in Bali to be more vigilant than ever.
“This is extraordinary. The raw materials are brought by our people [Indonesians], meaning that drug crimes have moved across national borders through human ideas. For example, a chemist may have friends in America, buy goods from drug stores or pharmacies and so on, and in the end, he can produce narcotics. There is expertise, evil thoughts, and networks, which result in a crime,” Hartono concluded.