29-05-2025
Australian Lamar Aaron Ahchee could wait up to 60 days for Bali drugs charges
It may take authorities up to 60 days to charge Australian Lamar Aaron Ahchee for his alleged involvement in drug smuggling in Indonesia, Bali's High Prosecutor's office has told the ABC.
Police allege Mr Ahchee, 43, arranged to have two packages containing cocaine worth an estimated $1.1 million picked up from post offices and delivered to him.
They say the packages arrived from overseas in Bali's capital Denpasar last week, with the cocaine concealed in chocolate wrappers.
Under Indonesian law, police can detain suspects for 20 days while carrying out investigations.
That can be extended for up to 40 days if more time is needed to collect evidence.
But prosecutor Putu Eka Sabana said the aim was to work as quickly as possible.
"The process should not be prolonged, especially when it is to do with a narcotic case, which we pay a lot of attention to," he told the ABC.
"Why wait if we can do it sooner?"
The minimum sentence under the country's narcotics law is five years' jail for possessing more than five grams of cocaine, while the longest term is 20 years.
Convictions for bringing drugs into the country can lead to life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
"If the defendant was proven to be part of the bigger established drug network, which would have brought a big impact [to society], that [maximum penalty] is possible," Mr Sabana said.
Sieny Karmana, Mr Ahchee's assistant lawyer, said his family was aware of the circumstances and that he was "OK" behind bars despite being shocked about the possibility of the death penalty.
"The family knows now that he is in Bali police headquarters and about the situation that happened to him," Ms Karmana said.
When asked about allegations that Mr Ahchee was a drug dealer, Ms Karmana insisted that was not the case,
"There is no statement that he is a drug dealer, but he is a user," she said.
Mr Ahchee was arrested at his apartment in Tibubeneng, a village in Bali, where the drugs were allegedly delivered, police said.
Rizky Cholid, who worked near Mr Ahchee's apartment, said he saw the arrest unfold.
"I witnessed a foreigner being arrested by police who drove three cars. I saw him being cuffed and entering the police car," he said.
"I didn't expect this to happen [in my area] as this whole time the area has always been peaceful."
The alleged drug smuggling case has also caught the attention of Australians holidaying in Bali.
Anthony Brown from Perth told the ABC whoever was responsible for the smuggling made an "extremely bad" decision.
"Not only do the adults and the partygoers get it here [Indonesia], it will get pushed down to people that we don't want to be exposed to it," he said.
"I don't know why you would bring cocaine here to this country. I don't know why you would bring it anywhere.
"It's not good for people."
