DENPASAR, Indonesia (AP) — Officials Monday claimed that an Australian allegedly smuggling cocaine on the tourist island of Bali was seized by Indonesian authorities; charges could entail the death sentence.
Extremely tough drug regulations in the Southeast Asian nation mean that convicted smugglers may receive firing squad execution.
Said Bali Police Chief Daniel Adityajaya, the 43-year-old Sydney man was detained May 22 after police raided his rented residence close to Kuta beach, a major tourist destination, and recovered 1.7 kg (3.7 pounds) cocaine in 206 clip plastic bags together with a digital scale and cell phone.
Adityaja informed a news conference in the provincial capital, Denpasar, that he is allegedly importing or distributing class 1 drugs. He faces between life in jail or the death sentence.
March saw arrests by Indonesian officials of an Argentinean woman and a British man reportedly smuggling 324 grams (0.7 pounds) of cocaine on the tourist island of Bali.
According to Ministry of Immigration and Corrections statistics, around 530 persons—including 96 foreigners—are on death row in Indonesia primarily for drug-related crimes. In July 2016 Indonesia executed three foreigners in addition to an Indonesian person.
