BULELENG, DEWATA.NEWS – Indonesian immigration authorities in Bali have uncovered an alleged human trafficking case involving 10 Bangladeshi nationals who reportedly entered Indonesia illegally through unofficial sea routes before being transported to Bali with promises of work in Australia.
Officials said five of the foreign nationals are being treated as suspected victims, while the other five are under investigation as alleged perpetrators in the case.
Head of the Singaraja Immigration Office, Anak Agung Gde Kusuma Putra, said the case was uncovered after authorities received reports of suspicious activity in Buleleng Regency.
After an investigation, immigration officers discovered the Bangladeshi nationals had traveled from Malaysia before entering Indonesia through illegal “mouse ports” in the Riau region without passing through official immigration checkpoints.
“All of them entered without going through official immigration checkpoints, but through illegal routes,” Kusuma Putra said on Tuesday (May 12, 2026).
Authorities said the group continued their journey by land to Jakarta before eventually being transported to Bali.
The five victims, identified by the initials AH (24), D (37), AR (29), SM (33), and MSU (41), were allegedly placed in a villa in Pemuteran Village, Gerokgak District, Buleleng.
According to immigration officials, the victims were promised employment opportunities in Australia but later faced intimidation and demands for additional operational payments from the trafficking network.
The case came to light after one of the victims managed to escape and report the situation to police on February 22, 2026.
“Out of the 10 individuals, five are victims and five others are suspected perpetrators,” Kusuma Putra added.
Authorities confirmed that four victims have already been deported back to Bangladesh after completing immigration procedures, while one victim remains under further protection and handling.
Meanwhile, five Bangladeshi nationals identified by the initials MN (24), MM (27), EH (37), MR (29), and MR (32) are currently undergoing legal proceedings for their alleged involvement in the human trafficking operation.
Head of the Bali Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration, Felicia Senky Ratna, said the case highlights ongoing vulnerabilities along Indonesia’s unofficial maritime entry points.
“Not all border points are official immigration checkpoints. Opportunities to enter through illegal routes still exist,” Felicia said.
She also revealed indications of an international trafficking syndicate allegedly facilitating the illegal movement of both victims and suspects into Indonesia.
Authorities believe the network used traditional boats operating at night to avoid patrols and official supervision.
Immigration officials stressed that monitoring illegal entry routes cannot rely solely on one institution and requires coordination between immigration authorities, police, and military personnel to combat cross-border human trafficking networks.