Australian Fugitive Arrested in Bali for Alleged International Drug Ring Control

Authorities in Bali have arrested Angelo Pandeli, an Australian national accused of controlling an international drug smuggling network. The joint operation, involving the National Narcotics Agency (Bareskrim Polri), immigration, and customs, apprehended Pandeli at Ngurah Rai International Airport on June 7, 2026.

Pandeli was on an international wanted list and was apprehended while attempting to fly from Denpasar to Maputo, Mozambique, on a private jet. Immigration officials initially flagged him due to suspicious documents, which he used under the identity of George Anderson Mota Correia, a Brazilian citizen. Further investigation revealed his true identity as the Australian fugitive.

The arrest was a result of collaboration between Indonesian law enforcement and intelligence from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). "We will not give space to international organized crime perpetrators to use Indonesia as a transit or escape place," stated Brig. Gen. Eko Hadi Santoso, Director of Narcotics Crimes at Bareskrim Polri.

Intelligence suggests Pandeli played a key role in controlling the shipment of drug precursors to Australia and is linked to the Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle club. He is believed to be involved in large-scale drug smuggling operations into Australia. Authorities seized mobile phones, various identity cards, bank cards, passports under different names, SIM cards, and $600 USD cash during the arrest.