Partners in crime: How Russia, Ukraine syndicates are running drug trafficking rackets from Bali - with crypto and encrypted chats

Indonesia’s National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has identified Bali as a key location for drug trafficking operations, involving Russian and Ukrainian nationals. According to Indonesia's state-run Antara news agency, these syndicates are using advanced technologies like blockchain to avoid detection by law enforcement.

BNN chief, police commissioner general Marthinus Hukom, said his agency has found that traffickers are relying on distributed ledger systems to manage their operations discreetly. "This is a very unique phenomenon, where nationals of Russia and Ukraine — two countries currently at war — have become partners in the crime (of) drug trafficking in Bali," Hukom said during a public lecture at Udayana University in Bali, as quoted by Antara.

Hukom noted that traffickers are using social media platforms, particularly Instagram, to connect with buyers.

Communication is carried out using coded language and encryption to prevent tracing.

The syndicates are also conducting transactions through cryptocurrencies rather than traditional payment methods, making enforcement efforts more complex. "It is very difficult to crack down on such practices because the perpetrators do not make transactions in a conventional manner," Hukom was quoted as saying by news agency Ankara.

Indonesian authorities are coordinating with Russian officials to address the issue.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has previously said that Indonesia is a major target for international drug syndicates, partly due to its large youth population, even though the country has strict drug laws.