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AGAINST THE ODDS

building with its designer holes in the façade was eerily quiet. Five days later, police searched again, from 10 am to 4 pm, but again found no drugs.

Jakarta police also searched Chino's house on the river in Legian, suspended use of his 20 jet-skis in Nusa Dua and sealed off the water sport business with yellow tape 'since it is suspected as a part of money laundering system', the Bali Post reported. They also confiscated 26 cars, 7 motorbikes, 12 personal computers, 6 video games, 7 televisions, 4 go-karts, and some sound system equipment.

They had a warrant to do so, but — in a weird 'only in Bali' twist — the Jakarta police were blindsided. Lawyers for Chino's wife stated that the Jakarta police had suspended the assets based on a search warrant from Denpasar District Court, but that it was 'never issued by Denpasar District Court'.

Police suspended the assets based on a letter from Denpasar District Court number No. W.16.DDP.UM.01.10–665 dated 1 April 2005 regarding the search warrant. However, it was found that the letter was never issued by Denpasar District Court.

– Denpost, 18 April 2005

They were forced to release Chino's assets. Not so curiously, things in Bali were still working in the cashed-up drug boss's favour. At the same time, his friendships with influential people in Bali were making unwelcome and embarrassing headlines. Despite corruption in Bali being as intrinsic as rice paddies, people lost face when it was exposed and didn't like it. As one source told the Bali Post, 'This apparently is a nightmare for the M3 boss, who is a close friend of some high-ranking government officials.'