BADUNG, DEWATA.NEWS – Indonesian immigration authorities arrested a British national identified as Steven Lyons (45) at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali after he was flagged under an Interpol Red Notice during arrival screening.
Lyons was detained on Saturday (March 28, 2026) at around 11:58 WITA after arriving on a flight from Singapore. He is suspected of leading an international criminal organization linked to multiple serious offenses across Europe and the Middle East.
Head of Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, Bugie Kurniawan, stated that the arrest demonstrates the effectiveness of Indonesia’s integrated immigration detection system.
“We emphasize that Bali will not become a safe haven for international fugitives. Our system is well integrated, and our officers are trained to detect and secure Interpol wanted persons,” he said in an official statement on Monday (March 30, 2026).
Authorities said Lyons is suspected of orchestrating large-scale criminal operations involving shell companies and money laundering. He is also linked to violent crimes in Spain, including murder cases reported in Malaga and Madrid in 2024.
Bali Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya confirmed that the arrest is part of a broader international investigation known as Operasi ARMORUM, a joint effort between Spain’s Guardia Civil and Police Scotland.
“SL is listed under Interpol Red Notice number A-4908/3-2026 issued on March 26 by Spain. The arrest process was carried out quickly and without resistance,” he said during a press conference in Denpasar on Tuesday (March 31, 2026).
The operation has already resulted in dozens of arrests across Europe, including 33 individuals in Scotland and 12 in Spain.
Lyons is also believed to be associated with the so-called “Lyons clan,” a criminal group involved in long-running conflicts with rival networks in Glasgow, Scotland. His alleged activities span multiple countries, including Scotland, Spain, and Dubai.
The arrest followed intelligence coordination between international agencies, beginning with a notification from Interpol counterparts in Abu Dhabi regarding his travel to Indonesia. After being secured, Lyons was handed over to airport police for further processing.
Brigadier General Untung Widiyatmoko from NCB Interpol Indonesia confirmed that Lyons has been transferred to Spanish authorities and is scheduled to be flown to Spain on Wednesday (April 1, 2026).
“He has been handed over to Interpol Spain and will be deported from Bali to Spain,” he said.
In response to increasing immigration violations involving foreign nationals, Bali Immigration also announced plans to strengthen monitoring across entry points on the island. Additional measures are expected to be introduced on April 10, 2026, to improve oversight and compliance.
“This case shows that Bali’s immigration monitoring system is effective, integrated, and responsive to transnational threats. Bali must remain a safe and orderly region,” said Head of Bali Regional Immigration Office, Felucia Sengky Ratna.
The case highlights ongoing international cooperation in tackling cross-border crime, with Bali serving as a key checkpoint in global travel routes.