Two Russian nationals, identified as Iurii Chernov and Mishel Kvara Tskheliya, were arrested for allegedly farming marijuana in their rented house in Jimbaran, South Kuta and also selling the illegal goods.
Denpasar Police Chief, Ruddi Setiawan, said in a statement yesterday that the marijuana was planted using a hydroponic method, which also utilized fertile soil and compost sawdust, as well as artificial ultraviolet light.
“The marijuana that the suspects planted is harvested every three months,” Ruddi, adding that they last did so earlier this month.
Police said Chernov and Tskheliya have lived in the rented house for two years. They were arrested on Jan. 22 at the house, where authorities also seized six jars containing 710 grams of marijuana, 14 pots containing marijuana seeds, and an electrical scale, among other things.
Ruddi told reporters yesterday that the couple hid their crime from their landlord by prohibiting him from entering the house.
“The house owner was not allowed to enter the house when cleaning up. Perhaps they thought they will be found out if he [entered],” Ruddi said, as quoted by Kumparan.
Police said the couple obtained their marijuana seeds from another foreigner, who has only been identified by his initial, A, and is in pursuit by the police.
Under Indonesia’s notoriously harsh drug laws, Chernov and Tskheliya could face up to 12 years in prison and a maximum fine of IDR8 billion (US$ 585,724).
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