A Russian citizen has been arrested for allegedly selling drugs in Seminyak, Bali. Vladimir Aleksandrovich Rybnokov, 44, was apparently arrested on April 27 in possession of five packages of cocaine weighing a total of 4 grams.

Kuta Police chief Comr. I Nyoman Wirajaya told a press conference on Wednesday that Rybnokov was a suspected drug dealer. "The suspect admitted that he was selling the drugs to foreigners, especially Russian citizens who live in Seminyak," Wirajaya said.

Wirajaya said Rybnokov had been arrested after police had received information from Russian citizens in Seminyak, who said a foreigner was selling drugs in the area. "Based on that information, our team investigated for a couple of days, focusing on the Seminyak area. Our investigation found him to be the suspected dealer. When we arrested him, we found drugs on him.” 

Rybnokov was arrested while sitting on his motorbike parked at the side of a road in Seminyak. He was busy talking on the phone. The police found three small packages of cocaine in his pocket.

Police then searched his apartment, where they reportedly found two more small packages of cocaine hidden in a book.

Wirajaya said the suspect had been selling drugs for quite a long time. However, he only admitted to selling drugs recently. "He has been living in Bali for six years and has overstayed his visa. So, we suspect that he has been selling drugs for quite a long time.” (ebf)