An Australian man remains behind bars in Bali after police allegedly found methamphetamine hidden in a tube of toothpaste mailed from Cairns in his hotel villa.
South Australian father-of-two Troy Smith was arrested last Thursday at a four-star hotel in the coastal town of Legian, near Kuta, where Indonesian police allegedly seized 3.14 grams of methamphetamine.
Smith, who arrived in Bali last week with his wife of four months, Tracey, has been charged with drug possession, which carries a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison, as well as a fine of about $756,000 (US$8 billion). rupees).
Smith, who comes from the South Australian fishing town of Port Lincoln, remains in police custody in Bali’s capital city, Denpasar.
Australian dad-of-two Troy Smith (pictured right with wife Tracey) has been charged with drug possession in Bali.
His lawyer, Ida Bagus Gumilang Galih Sakti, has since revealed that a package sent to Smith from Cairns raised police suspicions.
This despite the fact that the package label indicates that it only contains private documents, photographs and lubricant.
However, when police searched Smith’s room at the Champlung Mas Hotel, they allegedly found 3.10g of methamphetamine hidden in a toothpaste tube in the package.
They also allegedly found another 0.04 grams of methamphetamine that Smith had purchased in Bali, along with a hookah and a lighter.
Police alleged Smith bought the methamphetamine in Bali.
Bali police narcotics director Iwan Eka Putra said investigations are ongoing.
Indonesian police allege they found methamphetamine in Troy Smith’s four-star hotel room in Bali.
Sakti told Nine News his client admitted to being in possession of the drugs because he was an addict.
“He also admitted that his friend was sending that because he is a user,” Mr. Sati said.
Smith’s legal team indicated they will argue that he has been addicted to drugs for four years and should be sent to rehab instead of incarcerated.
“We will do everything we can as lawyers… we will use our knowledge and everything necessary to prove that you really are a user,” Mr Sakti said.
“We are trying to get him into rehab, we will do everything we can to prove it was for his use.”
“He’s a little shocked by the situation, of course, by what’s happening… a very intense interview by the police.”
His wife Tracey was also arrested but later released without charge.
She has remained in Bali to support her husband.
Adelaide Crows AFL fan Troy Smith hails from the South Australian town of Port Lincoln, where he has worked as a fisherman and for the local council.
Troy Smith and his partner Tracey got married in Kenya on December 30
It is understood Smith’s relatives flew to Bali on Wednesday night.
“There are family members there who support him in any way they can,” a source told the newspaper. Adelaide Advertiser.
‘They don’t know what’s happening. They are simply shocked.
The source described Smith’s drug use as “out of character,” who was “just a pretty normal type of person” who normally (supposedly) wouldn’t do something stupid like that,” they said.
Smith has worked as a fisherman and for the Port Lincoln local council.
His Instagram account shows him and Tracey vacationing in Bali several times last year.
Other posts by the couple on social media show them on their recent wedding day in December.
Ms Smith uploaded several photos of the couple in wedding attire alongside the captions “eternity” and “the perfect day”.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance to Smith.
The Australian government website Smart Traveler warns of the strict penalties that drug use can carry in Indonesia.
‘Penalties for drug crimes include heavy fines, long prison sentences and the death penalty. “Police attack tourist destinations,” the website states.
“You can face heavy fines or jail time for possessing even small amounts of drugs, including marijuana.”
Social media posts show Troy Smith and his new wife frequently visit Bali