Inside Canggu’s Lost City nightclub raided in drug sting

Bali’s Lost City nightclub might look like a drab warehouse, but each week it comes alive with thousands of scantily clad revellers. Now it’s at the centre of a drug trafficking investigation. Take a peek inside the club that promises to “own the night”.

Arrested Aussie William Cabantog, left, with Melbourne nightclub figures Rory Higgins, (second from right) and Gehan Rajapakse (right). Picture: Supplied

From the outside, Lost City nightclub looks like a nondescript warehouse.

A big grey box with vines creeping up the side, hidden down a dirt road near Canggu’s Echo Beach.

But each week, the two-storey hotspot comes alive with “bangerz, dope beats, and good vibes”.

Melbourne figures William Cabantog and David Van Iersel were arrested in the nightclub’s office about 2.30am on Friday, when police probing an alleged cocaine trafficking ring came knocking.

Lost City nightclub in Canggu. Credit: J.P. Christo

The front alley of the entrance to Lost City nightclub. Credit: J.P. Christo

The raid hit less than four months after the club launched promising to “own the night”.

A promotional video posted online before the opening showed the club being built from the ruins of metal and concrete.

Since opening it has been teeming with tourists and scantily clad revellers told to leave their “singlets or beer branded T-shirts” at home.

Those looking to live it up in luxury can book one of the VIP booths that line the nightclub’s walls.

There are the “bunker booths” downstairs and the “birdcage” tucked away in corner of the second-floor balcony.

But the high life costs between AUD $250 and $2000.

A “golden goddess” can splash a bit over two grand on the Devi package that delivers a 3L bottle of Belvedere Polish vodka, two super-sized bottles of champagne, cocktails on arrival and “four dozen house shots”.

With the booze flowing, transport drop off is also included at the end of the night.

David Van Iersel. Photo: J.P. Christo

William Cabantog. Photo: J.P. Christo

“Lost City offers a unique and quality focused club experience,” the nightclub boasts.

“The venue consists of stunning artistic design elements from local and international talents.

“We offer a multi-area social hotspot for all kinds of events, from entering into a lush tropical jungle courtyard in the evening.

“Shifting into the full experience two level nightclub, with state of the art lighting and audio systems.”

Earlier this month, the nightclub advertised a string of jobs, including for a promoter manager, floor supervisor and cashier.

Those “ready for the challenge” needed to be “good looking”, “innovative & dynamic”, able to start immediately and have “excellent command both spoken and written English”.

It seems new employees might also have to get their hands dirty.

The nightclub’s staff turned out in March — all wearing T-shirts emblazoned with “not all those who wander are lost” — to pitch in for a beach clean up.

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After parading the Aussie pair in shackles and prison orange, the police this week revealed they would “check out” the nightclub.

But the party hasn’t skipped a beat since, with the nightclub bragging that last night’s Vice City bill was the “finest Hip Hop party in Canggu”.

“Let’s get ready for the return of (DJs) Jeremy Jay & Mamba, Jakarta’s bad boy who brings his high energy hip hop to the decks of Lost City.”

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Originally published as Inside Canggu’s Lost City nightclub raided in drug sting