Peruvian Woman Arrested in Bali for Smuggling Cocaine, Faces Death Penalty

A 42-year-old Peruvian woman identified only as NS was arrested at Bali's international airport on August 12 after customs officers found 1.4 kilograms of cocaine and dozens of ecstasy pills hidden in her underwear and inside a sex toy concealed in her genitals. The woman allegedly confessed she was recruited via the dark web by a man residing in Bali and promised $20,000 to smuggle the drugs into Indonesia. Bali police narcotics unit director Radiant confirmed the narcotics were wrapped in plastic packages concealed in her bra, underwear, and the sex toy. Indonesia enforces some of the world's strictest drug laws, with drug trafficking punishable by death, and although the country has maintained a moratorium on executions since 2017, death sentences are still possible. The recent case highlights Indonesia's ongoing crackdown on drug smuggling, which has included previous executions and heavy prison sentences for foreign nationals. Authorities continue to be vigilant at airports and other entry points to intercept drug trafficking attempts.