Family of accused Bali cocaine runner break down in private meeting at police HQ
Bali/Sydney: The mother and sister of Lamar Ahchee, an Australian accused of drug running in Bali, wept during a private meeting with him at police headquarters on Monday, his lawyers say.
Ahchee, 43, was paraded before the media last week after being arrested for allegedly accepting a delivery of 1.7 kilograms of cocaine, hidden within chocolates, for a promised reward of just $4700.
The alleged deal could put the Cairns-born businessman at risk of the death penalty if convicted under Indonesia's drug laws.
'His mother and sister visited today,' lawyer Edward Pangkahila said. 'Lamar didn't cry, but his mother and sister did.'
Asked if Ahchee's family believed he was innocent, Pangkahila said, 'Yes, they do, and us, too'.
Sienny Karmana, another member of the legal team, confirmed that plastic bags and a scale had been found in Ahchee's apartment in the coastal village of Canggu but said they were consistent with personal drug use.
'He admitted he was a user, so sometimes he needs to rescale the drugs he bought,' Karmana said.
'It was not because he was planning on selling. He needed it because many times people will try to cheat him and sell him less drugs.'
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