Markit
Over the years I've heard of these guys in various forms and stages, called (euphemistically?) "Bali community organizations". [URL unfurl="true"]https://thebalisun.com/leader-of-bali-community-organization-extorted-and-damaged-a-business-in-nusa-penida/[/URL]They seem to be well integrated and excepted into the local society and culture, if not liked. The impression I've always had is that they are more active in DPS and the Lovina area (thankfully) and not so much here in the east. Known as the local Mafia by some and Laskar Bali by others. I would be interested to hear what you all know about this?
sakumabali
There is more than just Laskar; there are other mass organizations. I see them a bit as the SA (Sturmabteilung) in Hitler Germany (pre war). They seem to help the citizens but indeed it's just just self-enrichment and deceit.There are some areas where the old system survived (like on Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida and Bule Land). They believe in some areas, they can run the show like Vito Corleone...Possible that these days the really powerful people in the south of Bali (where the REAL money is) just drop them a few chunks because it's easier that way. And not cause too much attention...One day a guy in a new Car hit my (parked!) BMW; he refused to pay and said that he had no money. I had a screenshot of his KTP. A friend of mine had connections and I met two guys somewhere, just came out of jail (not Godzilla himself wanted to piss them off). I said to these guys that the KTP owner owe me the money for the insurance; you can keep it & if you are able to get it from him. >Long story short: the guy paid. Sad story that there is no legal protection for everyone yet....
spicyayam
I never heard or saw any evidence about them operating in Lovina/Singaraja.
sakumabali
I never heard or saw any evidence about them operating in Lovina/Singaraja.[/QUOTE]I never heard or saw any evidence about the Ndrangheta operating in Germany ;)
sakumabali
Even possible to vote for them
Markit
I never heard or saw any evidence about the Ndrangheta operating in Germany ;)[/QUOTE]Remember our old mate Gil? He had dealings with them on a regular basis up in Lovina or so he said. I've heard from other sources too that they are pretty active up there. My problem is I find it really difficult to take them seriously. If one of them were to threaten me with his bendy fecking Kriss knife I'd laugh him out of the shop. Particularly after seeing droves of local worthies attempt stabbing themselves with same at the drop of a udeng during their ceremonies.
sakumabali
Gilbert de Jong? yes...what happened to him anyway?
Balifrog
And another "community leader" in trouble...[URL unfurl="true"]https://thebalisun.com/leader-of-bali-community-organization-arrested-for-firearm-and-drug-possession/[/URL]
Markit
Gilbert de Jong? yes...what happened to him anyway?[/QUOTE]I believe the "realities of life" may have caught up with him and he moved back to Holland with his lovely wife and there they are doing boring jobs and making interesting discoveries. They retired first and enjoyed it for 10 years now they are doing the BS that the rest of us did BEFORE we came to Bali. He's occasionally on "Bali Expats" FB so you can say HI to him there.
Markit
And another "community leader" in trouble...[URL unfurl="true"]https://thebalisun.com/leader-of-bali-community-organization-arrested-for-firearm-and-drug-possession/[/URL][/QUOTE]Almost like someone kicked over a rock aint it?
Markit
Gotta love these guys - catch one of them and you get the whole "Community Organization" - what a great name for a gang of thugs and drug dealers: [URL]https://thebalisun.com/bali-nightclub-owner-arrested-for-possessing-over-35-kg-of-drugs/[/URL]
SamD
Gotta love these guys - catch one of them and you get the whole "Community Organization" - what a great name for a gang of thugs and drug dealers: [URL]https://thebalisun.com/bali-nightclub-owner-arrested-for-possessing-over-35-kg-of-drugs/[/URL][/QUOTE]So I guess the reason the article only cites initials and not names and we are not allowed to know the name of the nightclub (there are only 3 or 4 so take your pick - I think I can guess which one) is because the authorities are waiting to find out how much cash the accused is willing to cough up to keep himself out of Kerobokan prison.
AuroraB
Gotta love these guys - catch one of them and you get the whole "Community Organization" - what a great name for a gang of thugs and drug dealers: [URL]https://thebalisun.com/bali-nightclub-owner-arrested-for-possessing-over-35-kg-of-drugs/[/URL][/QUOTE]According to officials: just (prudent) business preparations as tourists are expected to arrive soon... a lot of tourists as 35kgs is probably 6 digit number of doses...[URL unfurl="true"]https://coconuts.co/bali/news/39-kilos-of-drugs-found-in-a-villa-were-to-be-pushed-to-foreigners-police/[/URL]
SamD
According to officials: just (prudent) business preparations as tourists are expected to arrive soon... a lot of tourists as 35kgs is probably 6 digit number of doses...[URL unfurl="true"]https://coconuts.co/bali/news/39-kilos-of-drugs-found-in-a-villa-were-to-be-pushed-to-foreigners-police/[/URL][/QUOTE]What "officials"? You really think tourists come to Bali with the expectation of a drug paradise? You haven't heard about the executions of foreign drug mules and the imprisonment of users then? Any business owner who thinks it is "prudent" to stock up on meth is a complete moron and deserves everything that is coming to him.
AuroraB
So I guess the reason the article only cites initials and not names and we are not allowed to know the name of the nightclub (there are only 3 or 4 so take your pick - I think I can guess which one) is because the authorities are waiting to find out how much cash the accused is willing to cough up to keep himself out of Kerobokan prison.[/QUOTE]According to Kompas, one was arrested at "Wharhouse Bar", Jl Camplung Tanduk. I suspect this is a spelling mistake as google map refer to "The Warehouse".[URL unfurl="true"]https://denpasar.kompas.com/read/2022/04/12/135724178/39-kilogram-narkoba-ditemukan-di-vila-3-orang-jadi-tersangka-ini-peran?page=all#page2[/URL]The local news also bring mask free photos of some of the "suspects". Here they also spell out the names except for the "nightclub boss" named as AA GOP. AA could be Anak Agung.[URL unfurl="true"]https://sekilasmedia.com/2022/04/12/dibekingi-orang-kuat-bandar-narkoba-di-bali-dibekuk-polisi/[/URL]
AuroraB
What "officials"? You really think tourists come to Bali with the expectation of a drug paradise? You haven't heard about the executions of foreign drug mules and the imprisonment of users then? Any business owner who thinks it is "prudent" to stock up on meth is a complete moron and deserves everything that is coming to him.[/QUOTE]My comment ref. to statement by police "official" in the article: "Bali Police Chief Gen. Putu Jayan Danu Putra said that the syndicate aimed to sell the drugs to international visitors on the Island of Gods". The police apparently believes target customers are tourists which is not unreasonable if they sell out of nightclubs in tourist shot spots... I have been in/out of the region since early 2000 so yes I have read in the news -- drug use seems to be widespread but this place is far from a "drug paradise"...
SamD
My guess as to the establishment in question was correct then. There was always something fishy about that place although I have never been inside. I heard stories but was never really interested. Bottom line is,if he has the cash he will go Scot free. If not, then hello Kerobokan.
Markit
According to officials: just (prudent) business preparations as tourists are expected to arrive soon... a lot of tourists as 35kgs is probably 6 digit number of doses...[URL unfurl="true"]https://coconuts.co/bali/news/39-kilos-of-drugs-found-in-a-villa-were-to-be-pushed-to-foreigners-police/[/URL][/QUOTE]Just doing everything to point out he'd never, ever, even consider selling anything illegal to Balinese citizens. I truly wonder if that has any influence on the sentencing?Like "he was ONLY gonna poison foreigners with that stuff so that's ok" ?
AuroraB
Just doing everything to point out he'd never, ever, even consider selling anything illegal to Balinese citizens. I truly wonder if that has any influence on the sentencing?Like "he was ONLY gonna poison foreigners with that stuff so that's ok" ?[/QUOTE]Most nationals and foreigners arrested over the last 5-6 years have faced more than 15 years for qty of order 1 kgs. I do not think the business plan for this local team focusing on foreigners will have any bearing on sentencing. They have been identified in at all the local and some national news outlets by name (and mask free photos); they are arrested for significant qty, so this will likely be the ultimate penalty. I have seen examples of people escaping the death penalty by showing remorse, but that was for much smaller qty of order 1 kgs. I some cases death penalties have later been commuted to long jail sentences which may be a more likely outcome.
AuroraB
High profile drug case widely reported in the local news. Son of the Badung DPRD chairman and a TNI friend. Curious to see how this delicate case will play out...[URL unfurl="true"]https://thebalisun.com/bali-senators-son-arrested-in-possession-of-drugs/[/URL][URL unfurl="true"]https://www.detik.com/bali/berita/d-6085043/kronologi-penangkapan-anak-ketua-dprd-badung-terkait-narkoba[/URL]
