Melbourne nightclub promoters arrested in Bali over alleged links to cocaine ring
Two nightclub promoters from Melbourne have been arrested in Bali following a series of raids by police investigating a major cocaine trafficking syndicate in the resort town of Canggu.
The two men, aged 35 and 38, were arrested on Saturday by Balinese police, who are believed to have seized CCTV footage from a venue in Canggu, where one of the men worked as a promoter.
Police are also understood to have found a set of scales during several raids over the weekend.
A Balinese police source confirmed that two Australians had been arrested, but no charges had been laid and the investigation was ongoing.
The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald can reveal another Melbourne nightclub figure fled to Singapore before his apartment was raided by police after receiving a tip-off. Several other Australians are implicated in the investigation, according to sources in Melbourne and Bali.
One of the Melbourne men arrested is a former ambassador for Crown Casino venue Club 23 and has worked as a promoter and bar manager for some of the city's biggest venues, including Eve and Boutique nightclubs.
The 35-year-old relocated to Bali in September last year, where he promoted several upmarket nightclubs to international tourists, particularly Australians.
The other man, 38, recently arrived in Bali, after managing a late-night venue in St Kilda. He is understood to have grown up in the Keilor area and attended University High School in Parkville.
Both men are believed to have been questioned by police on Sunday.
More to come.