4 days ago
Lamar Aaron Ahchee's family says it trusts due process will be upheld in the handling of his case in Indonesia
The family of an Australian man arrested in Bali in connection to the alleged smuggling of 1.7 kilograms of cocaine says it trusts due process will be upheld in the handling of his case.
Lamar Aaron Ahchee was arrested on May 22 at his apartment in the Balinese village of Tibubeneng in North Kuta.
Police allege the 43-year-old received two packages there, which contained an estimated $1.1 million worth of cocaine in 206 small packages.
The drugs were wrapped in Lindor Lindt chocolate wrappers.
Police allege Mr Ahchee was promised a reward of about $4,713 to accept the delivery of the packages, which arrived in Bali's capital, Denpasar, from overseas on May 20.
He is yet to be charged with a specific offence. Bali's High Prosecutor's office last week told the ABC it may take authorities up to 60 days to charge Mr Ahchee for his alleged involvement in drug smuggling.
Mr Ahchee's sister Stephanie and his mother have travelled to Bali to support him.
In a short statement given to media on Friday, Stephanie Ahchee thanked Indonesian authorities for their "professionalism and impartiality".
"We are grateful for the fair and respectful treatment he has received from law enforcement and legal officials throughout this process," she said.
"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.
"Our priority is Lamar's wellbeing and we trust that due process will be upheld."
Ms Ahchee was accompanied by John McLeod, a consultant who has worked with a number of Australians arrested on drug charges in Indonesia, including Schapelle Corby.
Bali police told media last month that they had received a tip-off that there would be two packages containing drugs arriving from overseas, one addressed to an apartment in North Kuta, and the other destined for an address in Mengwi.
Customs officers allegedly detected the cocaine inside the packages via X-ray, who then contacted police.
Authorities then monitored the delivery of the packages.
Police allege Mr Ahchee arranged for a driver with a ride-hail app to collect one of the packages from a post office.
That package was collected, then passed on to a second delivery driver who delivered it to the apartment, before the original driver picked up the second package from a different post office and drove it to the same address.
Mr Ahchee was arrested on the same day after allegedly receiving the packages.
Police say Mr Ahchee told them he did not know who exactly organised the drugs, but admitted that he had received an order from someone referred to as "Boss" to receive the packages and distribute them for a promised reward of 50 million rupiah (about $4,731).
While Mr Ahchee is yet to be charged, convictions for bringing drugs into Indonesia can carry the death penalty.
