Family of Aussie accused of drug trafficking in Bali break their silence
The sister of an Australian man facing the death penalty in Bali, accused of smuggling drugs to the island, has issued a message to Indonesian authorities.
Lamar Ahchee, 43, the son of former Queensland cop Les Ahchee, was arrested last week, accused of smuggling 1.8kg of cocaine from the UK while living in Bali.
On Friday, his sister Stephanie Ahchee fronted the media in Denpasar for the first time since flying to Bali from Cairns with her mother.
'Our family wishes to extend our sincere appreciation to the Indonesian authorities for their professionalism and impartiality in handling Lamar's case,' she said.
'We are grateful for the fair and respectful treatment he has received from law enforcement and legal officials throughout this process.'
Ms Ahchee gave her address while standing beside high-profile 'fixer' and former police officer John McLeod, who worked to help free Schapelle Corby from jail.
Dubbed the 'prison whisperer', Mr McLeod runs consultancy firm Tora Solutions which helps detained Australians facing legal troubles overseas.
Visuals from Friday depicted Mr McLeod stoically guiding Ms Ahchee to gathered reporters in the garden beyond a popular Denpasar restaurant.
'This is Lamar's sister, she's going to give a brief statement on behalf of the family' he said before Ms Ahchee began reading from a prepared speech.
'We acknowledge the seriousness of this case and the situation and remain committed to full cooperation with the legal system to ensure a just outcome,' she said.
'Our priority is Lamar's wellbeing and we trust that due process will be upheld.
'At this time we respectfully request privacy as we navigate this matter.
'We also extend our gratitude to those who have shown support and expressed their support during this difficult period.'
It comes after Mr McLeod's mother and sister were seen shielding their faces outside police headquarters alongside him on Monday.
The 43-year-old, who has not yet been charged, faces a potential death sentence after Bali Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya alleged the drugs arrived in Indonesia on May 12.
Ahchee was arrested by the Bali drug squad on May 22 after customs officers allegedly scanned two suspicious packaged upon arrival to Indonesia.
About 1.8kg of cocaine was allegedly hidden inside two Lindt chocolate boxes, each containing 54 individual packets with 8.3g of cocaine each.
Police allege he offered almost 50million Indonesian rupiah, about AU$4,700, to receive and distribute the drugs worth an estimated $1.1million.
The Cairns-born businessman was paraded before the media last week wearing an orange jumpsuit and a black face covering during a press conference.
He allegedly tested positive for drugs upon arrest and has subsequently admitted to struggling with addiction, though he firmly denies dealing drugs.
Mr Ahchee's lawyer Edward Pangkahila told reporters his client firmly denied dealing drugs, but conceded he was a 'drug addict'.
'Lamar has been set up by someone called "Boss",' Mr Pangkahila said, referencing a stranger in England who allegedly sent the Lindt boxes.
'He was told to collect the package, but he actually didn't know what the package was. He thought it was a normal package.'
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed it was offering consular assistance to an Australian in Bali.
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