Australian Man Arrested in Bali for Alleged Cocaine Smuggling
Indonesian authorities apprehend a 43-year-old man following a significant drug bust on the tourist island.
DENPASAR, Indonesia — Indonesian police announced the arrest of an Australian man on May 22, 2025, for allegedly smuggling cocaine into Bali, a charge that could potentially result in the death penalty. The arrest has drawn attention to Indonesia’s stringent drug laws, which impose severe penalties for drug trafficking.
Lamar Aaron Ahchee, 43, hailing from Cairns in North Queensland, was taken into custody after police executed a raid on his rented accommodation near the popular Kuta beach area. During the operation, authorities confiscated 1.7 kilograms (approximately 3.7 pounds) of cocaine, packaged in 206 plastic bags, along with a digital scale and a mobile phone, according to Bali Police Chief Daniel Adityajaya.
The arrest followed an extensive investigation by Bali’s anti-drug surveillance teams, who had been monitoring Ahchee’s activities. Police revealed that he had received suspicious packages sent from England. “He is suspected of importing or distributing class 1 narcotics,” stated Chief Adityajaya during a press conference in the provincial capital, Denpasar. “He is threatened with the death penalty or life imprisonment.”
Further details from the investigation indicate that Ahchee arranged for a motorcycle taxi through a ride-hailing application on May 21 to collect the two packages from a post office in Denpasar. The packages were then to be handed over to another motorcycle taxi driver for delivery to his residence.
During police interrogation, Ahchee reportedly mentioned that he had been instructed by an individual he referred to as “Boss” to take delivery of the cocaine, with a promise of 50 million rupiah (approximately $3,000) for his involvement in the distribution process.
At a news conference following his arrest, Ahchee was presented wearing an orange detainee jumpsuit and a mask, with his hands handcuffed. Notably, he refrained from making any statements to the press.
Edward Pangkahila, one of Ahchee’s legal representatives, emphasized that their legal team would be present during police questioning to ensure a fair investigation. Pangkahila insisted that Ahchee was not the owner of the cocaine and argued that authorities need to pursue the individual behind the operation to fully uncover the case.
Indonesia remains a significant target for international drug syndicates, as indicated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The country boasts strict drug laws, yet it continues to be a major drug-smuggling hub, particularly exploitative of its younger demographic.
At the same time, the Denpasar District Court has a scheduled verdict announcement for Thomas Parker, a British national arrested in January for allegedly collecting a drug package. Additionally, Indonesian authorities recently detained an Argentinian woman and a British man in March for attempting to smuggle 324 grams (0.7 pounds) of cocaine.
According to data from the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections, about 530 individuals, including 96 foreigners, are currently on death row in Indonesia, primarily for drug-related offenses. Indonesia’s last executions were conducted in July 2016, affecting one Indonesian and three foreign nationals.
This recent arrest highlights ongoing concerns regarding drug trafficking and the severe legal ramifications associated with it in Indonesia.
— Reporting by Firdia Lisnawati, Associated Press
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