Australian, American and Malaysian arrested in Bali for drugs
Indonesia has some of the world’s toughest anti-drug laws, with sentences including the death penalty for smugglers who carry five or more grams
Indonesian police have arrested an Australian, an American and a Malaysian on the holiday island of Bali for drugs offences, the latest foreigners to run afoul of some of the world’s strictest laws against narcotics.
The three men, who were arrested in separate cases, appeared before the media at a briefing, dressed in orange prison garb, their faces concealed by balaclava, with armed police officers standing guard.
It was not immediately clear if any of the three, who were identified only by their initials, would face the death penalty if convicted.
Authorities found methamphetamine and the party drug ecstasy hidden in a plastic bottle and another container in the luggage of the Australian after he arrived on a flight from Bangkok on Monday, the customs office said.
“Based on the results of the inspection, our officers found five packages containing clear crystals weighing 19.97 grams and 14 tablets weighing a total of 6.22 grams,” Bali Airport customs office chief Himawan Indrajono said in the statement.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was “providing consular help to an Australian man detained in Bali” in response to emailed questions on the arrest. It declined to comment further.