Foreign National Caught Hiding Cocaine in Passport After Failing Autogate at Ngurah Rai Airport
A foreign national identified as JFD failed to pass through the autogate at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, leading to a customs inspection that uncovered 0.2 grams of cocaine hidden inside their passport. Authorities also discovered the individual held dual passports from Ireland and South Africa, and the case has been handed over to police.
A foreign national identified only by the initials JFD was intercepted at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali after encountering issues while passing through the autogate, ahead of a scheduled AirAsia flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Immigration officers who assisted with the malfunction found a suspicious object concealed inside JFD's passport and referred the case to customs.
A customs inspection and urine test confirmed the hidden substance was 0.2 grams of cocaine, and JFD tested positive for drug use.
Further investigation revealed JFD held passports from two different nationalities. Immigration records show JFD entered Indonesia on September 19, 2026, using an Irish passport under a Visa on Arrival (VoA), but attempted to depart using a South African passport instead.
Immigration authorities halted JFD's departure and, together with customs, handed the individual and evidence over to the airport police for further legal proceedings. The head of Ngurah Rai Immigration Office said the case demonstrated the reliability of the autogate system in detecting potential legal violations.
Things to Consider
Never carry or use any illegal drugs in Indonesia, even in trace amounts, as penalties are severe and can include the death penalty. Airport autogates and passport checks are strictly enforced, and any suspicious items or document inconsistencies will likely be detected. Travelers holding dual nationality should use the same passport for both entry and exit to avoid legal complications and delays.
Source: detikcom