UPDATE: A Ukrainian man, Roman Nazarenko, has been sentenced to life in prison for his role in producing illegal drugs on the popular tourist island of Bali. The verdict was handed down by the Denpasar District Court on October 5, 2023, following his arrest in December 2023 at Bangkok’s international airport, where he attempted to flee to Dubai after spending seven months as a fugitive.
Nazarenko, 40 years old, was implicated after a police raid in May 2024 uncovered a sophisticated drug lab in a villa basement, where authorities discovered marijuana cultivation and production of a precursor to ecstasy. During the trial, he claimed he was misled into joining the drug operation but prosecutors argued he was a key mastermind behind the illegal activities.
Presiding Judge Eni Martiningrum made a powerful statement, declaring, “There is no reason to forgive or justify the defendant; he deserves to be punished commensurate with what he has done.” The judge emphasized the potential harm to the mental health of Bali’s youth, highlighting the serious implications of Nazarenko’s crimes.
While Nazarenko faces life in prison, the alleged ringleader, Oleg Tkachuck, remains at large. Two Ukrainian brothers, Mykyta and Ivan Volovod, along with Russian national Konstantin Krutz, were sentenced to 20 years each earlier this year for their involvement in the drug operation. They were arrested during the same raid that led to Nazarenko’s conviction.
Court documents reveal the Volovod brothers were paid $30,000 USD to install equipment for drug production, and transactions were conducted clandestinely via the Telegram app and cryptocurrency. The brothers admitted that Tkachuck financed their operations, which included producing hydroponic marijuana and mephedrone, a key ingredient in ecstasy pills.
Bali has seen a significant surge in crime linked to Russian and Ukrainian nationals, particularly since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. In 2022, 57,860 Russian tourists visited Bali, a number that skyrocketed to 180,215 by the end of 2024. Officials from Indonesia’s National Narcotics Agency, including head Marthinus Hukom, noted the troubling trend of collaboration between citizens of countries at war, calling it a “very unique phenomenon” where crime rings have formed among Russians and Ukrainians in Bali.
Statistics from Bali Police indicate a sharp increase in criminal activities among Russian nationals, with 28 individuals accused of various crimes in 2023, marking a nearly five-fold rise from 2022. These offenses include drug trafficking, extortion, and other serious violations.
As Bali grapples with the implications of this case and the wider issue of drug-related crime, authorities are ramping up efforts to combat illicit activities on the island. The outcome of Nazarenko’s trial and the ongoing search for Tkachuck are vital developments that will shape the future of drug enforcement in Bali.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as authorities continue to address the surge in crime and the complexities of international drug trafficking in this idyllic tourist destination.
