Bali. The Bali Provincial National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has arrested two British nationals, identified as KG, 29, and PE, 48, suspected of smuggling cocaine from Barcelona, Spain, into Bali.

Bali BNN Chief, Rudy Ahmad Sudrajat, said both men are suspected of being part of an international drug syndicate run by a man named Santos, who is now on the wanted list.

“Initially, they lived in Thailand, then met in Barcelona. After that, one of them, PE, traveled to Bali first. He was waiting for the drugs to be brought into Bali,” Rudy said.

BNN Investigator Commissioner Tri Kuncoro said the evidence seized from the two suspects consisted of 1,321 grams of cocaine.

According to their testimony, KG and PE met in Barcelona about a week before their arrest.

The case was uncovered on September 3, when Ngurah Rai Airport Customs officers became suspicious of a passenger during inspection.

After an X-ray scan, officers discovered suspected Category I narcotics in the form of cocaine weighing 1,321 grams net, hidden inside KG’s bag.

Upon arrest, KG confessed that he had been ordered by Santos to carry the cocaine-filled bag from Barcelona to Bali, to be handed over to PE at a villa in Kerobokan, North Kuta, Badung Regency. PE was also arrested at the location. Both suspects had been promised $5,000 each.

“The drugs were intended to be sold to fellow foreigners in Bali. Bali has many expat communities, and since cocaine is very expensive, the target market was clearly foreigners,” Tri explained.