Inp.polri.go.id - Denpasar.   Bali Regional Police have ruled out any connection to drug gangs in the fatal shooting of Australian men at Villa Casa Santisya 1 in Badung on 14 June 2025.

“This is purely a criminal case of murder. That’s what our investigators are focusing on,” said Bali Police Head of Public Relations Senior Superintendent Ariasandy on Thursday (17/7/2025), as quoted by antaranews.com.

The statement counters earlier remarks by National Narcotics Agency (BNN) Chief Commissioner General Marthinus Hukom, who suggested possible ties to international drug cartels using Bali as a “killing ground.” 

Police confirmed that all three foreign suspects tested negative for drugs, and no narcotics-related evidence has emerged.

Ballistic tests revealed gunpowder residue matching the firearm recovered, linking the suspects to the crime. One victim, Zivan Radmanovic, died; another, Sanar Ghanim, was injured.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)