An Australian man is reportedly facing drugs charges in Bali, after being arrested while carrying methamphetamine.
There are multiple media reports that Troy Smith, from Port Lincoln in South Australia, was arrested on the Indonesian holiday island on April 30.
He was reportedly in the first week of what was meant to be a month-long holiday with his wife, Tracey.
Smith, a father of two, was allegedly found with 3.14 grams of the drug when he was arrested at a four-star hotel in the beach resort village of Legian near Kuta.
Smith’s wife was also arrested. She has reportedly since been released without charge.
Smith has been charged with drug possession, which has a maximum 12-year jail sentence as well as a fine of about $750,000.
He is being held at the Bali Police Detention Centre in the capital Denpasar.
His lawyer, Ida Bagus Gumilang Galih Sakti, has since told the Ten Network that Smith had been sent a suspicious package from Australia but had also bought drugs in Bali.
He said Smith was an addict who had used drugs for four years and should face rehabilitation rather than jail.
“We’ll do everything we can do as a lawyer … use our knowledge and everything to prove he’s actually a user,” he said.
Bali Police narcotic director Iwan Eka Putra said investigations were ongoing.
‘’We are waiting on results from our lab just to make sure. Those in custody are still under interrogation,” he said.
Smith is reportedly a fisherman and has worked for the Lower Eyre Peninsula Council.
Some of his relatives reportedly flew to Bali on Wednesday.
‘There is family over there, supporting him in any way they can,’ a source told the Adelaide Advertiser.
‘They don’t know what’s going on. They’re just in shock.’
A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman has said DFAT is providing “consular assistance to an Australian man detained in Bali”.
“Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment,” they said.
Government website Smart Traveller warns there can be strict penalties for drug use in Indonesia.
“Penalties for drug offences include heavy fines, long prison sentences and the death penalty. Police target tourist destinations,” it says.
Balinese police are expected to provide an update on the case next week.
