Badung, Bali. Bali police have dismissed claims that the recent shooting of an Australian national in Badung, Bali, is tied to drug cartel activities, countering earlier remarks made by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN).

“We are not sure about what the BNN chief has said, as we are focusing our investigation on the criminal case while the BNN focuses on drug offenses,” Badung Police Chief M. Arif Batubara told reporters on Monday.

BNN Chief Commissioner General Marthinus Hukom previously stated that drug cartels had turned Bali into a “killing ground” and urged police to investigate cartel links in the June 14 shooting at a villa in Munggu Village, Badung, which left one Australian dead and another injured.

While police continue to investigate the incident, Arif said they have not yet determined a motive and are currently focused on establishing the timeline of events.

The victim, identified as Zivan Radmanovic, was shot dead in the villa’s bathroom in front of his wife, while another Australian, Sanar Ghanim, sustained minor injuries during the attack, reportedly witnessed by his wife, Daniela.

Three Australian nationals--Tupou Pasa Midolmore, 27; Coskunmevlut, 23; and Darcy Francesco Jenson, 37--have been arrested in connection with the shooting and have been named suspects. However, Batubara said it was too early to conclude that the suspects were contract killers with premeditated plans prior to their arrival in Bali.

Hukom, speaking during the inauguration of a drug-free village in Badung, called for the investigation to explore potential cartel links to clarify the motive, stressing the need to address Bali’s broader drug challenges alongside criminal investigations.

Police have stated that further updates will be provided as the investigation into the villa shooting progresses.

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