John McLeod reveals what happens now in shock Lamar Ahchee arrest in Bali
A consultant with 15 years' experience helping Australians navigate Indonesia's complex legal system has warned that alleged cocaine smuggler Lamar Ahchee faces the serious prospect of execution.
John McLeod of Tora Solutions said the 43-year-old man would now likely spend about two months locked up in a cell at the Bali Police Centre as the investigation into his alleged trafficking offence escalated.
Investigators allege Mr Ahchee, who moved to Bali to live and work in 2017, imported 1.7kg of cocaine with an estimated value of $1.14m.
He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison or execution, which Mr McLeod said was a 'possibility'.
'It depends what articles they charge him under,' he told NewsWire on Tuesday.
'I suspect they'll charging under articles 112, 113, and 114, which is a user, international importation and dealer.'
Mr McLeod said he would not be shocked if prosecutors pushed for a death penalty.
'No, (it wouldn't shock me),' he said.
'Whether it's upheld, the prosecutor puts forward a thing called a 'demand'.
'So the prosecutor will put a demand to the three judges and then it's up to the three judges whether they accept the prosecutor's demand or lower it or even make it higher.'
Indonesia does not use a jury trial system of the kind in operation in Australia.
Instead, prosecutors and the defence appear before three judges who ask questions to determine the facts of the case.
The judges determine guilt or innocence and then deliver their sentence.
Police investigators uncovered the cocaine shipment on May 20 as it was X-ray screened through customs.
Detectives from Bali's narcotics investigation directorate organised a 'controlled delivery' to locate the intended recipient.
The packages were sent to two addresses in Bali's popular Badung regency, which includes the densely populated Kuta and Seminyak areas packed with international tourists.
Police claim to have watched Mr Ahchee receive one of the packages in person and arrested him on May 22.
Investigators also recovered a scale, plastic bags and cellphone from Mr Ahchee.
On Monday, the police paraded Mr Ahchee before media to announce the arrest.
He was shackled and dressed in an orange jumpsuit with a black balaclava over his head.
'For something this large, they would always do a shame sort of thing,' Mr McLeod said.
'Just because of their no-tolerance policy on drugs. It's big news over there and they will take credit for it.'
Mr McLeod, who helped negotiate convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby's parole and release from prison in Bali, clarified that Mr Ahchee had not yet been charged and was presently a suspect.
Mr McLeod told NewsWire the parties with an interest in the matter had reached out to him for help, but he wouldn't confirm who he had spoken with.
'I've just had a brief chat,' he said.
'I need to know what's really going on with it before I'll put my hand up to give too much advice.'
Mr McLeod said he had not spoken with Mr Ahchee but might connect with the man soon.
'I would suspect that I'd probably speak to him in either today or tomorrow,' he said.
The packages were shipped from the UK and Mr McLeod said Indonesian authorities were likely talking with Interpol to try to uncover the network.
Mr Ahchee will be held in a cell for about two months and then investigators will recommend charges to a prosecutor.
He will then be transferred to Bali's notorious Kerobokan prison.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed it is providing consular assistance to an Australian detained in Bali.
Before his arrest, Mr Ahchee worked as general manager at the Brick Lane restaurant in Canggu.
He left the business in October last year.
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