Latest news with #LamarAhchee
ABC News
06-06-2025
- ABC News
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.
Daily Mail
06-06-2025
- Daily Mail
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.
Daily Mail
04-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Another Australian is arrested in Bali after he was allegedly caught smuggling drugs into the country
An Australian man could spend the rest of his life in jail after he was allegedly caught smuggling 104g of marijuana into Bali. The 40-year-old was arrested in Denpasar last Thursday after a tip-off from an Indian national who was allegedly found with 600g of marijuana at Bali's international airport. Police allegedly found the drugs as they raided his room while a Kazakhstan and US national were also arrested. In Indonesia, Marijuana is a Class 1 narcotic which is the same category as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, LSD, and MDMA. If the Aussie man is charged and convicted with drug trafficking he could be sent to jail for life and if he's charged with possession, he could face 12 years in prison. The police haven't yet named the Aussie but he was the second Australian to be arrested in Bali for alleged drug possession within a week. On May 22, Lamar Ahchee was arrested in Canggu for allegedly trafficking 1.8kg of cocaine, worth $1.1million, into Indonesia. Police alleged the Cairns man, who is the son of former Queensland senior constable Les Ahchee, picked up two parcels with cocaine concealed in chocolate boxes. He was allegedly offered 50m Indonesian rupiah, the equivalent of $A4,700, from a unknown person in England known only as 'Boss', to collect and supply the drugs. Ahchee admitted he was a drug addict but rejected being a dealer and claimed he was 'framed'. Ahchee allegedly tested positive for drugs while in custody. His lawyer Edward Pangkahila said Ahchee denied any involvement in drug trafficking. 'He's telling me that honestly, he doesn't know what was inside. We're still looking for that somebody who tell him to take this package,' Pangkahila said. 'The police have to find this guy.' He has not been charged but has been in custody since he was arrested and if he's found guilty, he could get the death penalty. Police will host a press conference regarding the most recent arrest on Thursday, July 5.
Sky News AU
03-06-2025
- Sky News AU
Tourists warned of drownings and drink spiking as DFAT travel website updates travel advice for Bali-bound Australians
Official travel advice for Aussie holidaymakers in Indonesia has changed, with Bali-bound tourists now being urged to be aware of rough seas and spiked beverages. The Department of Foreign Affairs has updated the Indonesia section on its website, which advises to 'exercise a high degree of caution' while visiting the Southeast Asian country. Even higher levels of caution are advised for some areas of Indonesia, the website said. The latest update on May 30 has now warned Australians to the dangers of methanol poisoning when being served alcoholic drinks, and it said beverages and food should not be left unattended. 'Drinks may be spiked or mixed with toxic substances,' the update cautioned. It said there have been reports of methanol poisoned drinks in the country, including in the popular destinations of Bali and Lombok. Smartraveller has also urged caution around swimming at Indonesian beaches, with many of them being 'unpatrolled'. 'Australians have drowned in coastal areas, due to rough seas and strong rip currents at popular tourist beaches including in Bali,' the advice said. Tourists heading to Bali are advised to read the provincial government's behaviour guidelines before they arrive. 'Offensive behaviour that fails to respect local culture, religion, places of worship, and traditional ceremonies can lead to criminal penalties and/or deportation,' Smartraveller said. The website also says authorities in Indonesia are strict when it comes to damaged passports, with people having been refused entry with a damaged passport before. The updated travel information comes after Australian man Lamar Ahchee was arrested in Bali last month for allegedly trying to smuggle cocaine into Indonesia. The 43-year-old originally from Cairns could now face the death penalty if convicted. He was arrested by drug squads at an apartment in Canggu and authorities have alleged Mr Ahchee attempted to smuggle 1.8kg of cocaine into Indonesia from the United Kingdom.
The Age
03-06-2025
- The Age
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.'
