Perth teen finally back home after dramatic ordeal in Bali

An Australian teen arrested on drug possession suspicions in Bali has finally made it back home to Perth after being cleared by Bali police

Jamie Murphy, 18, was stopped at Kuta nightclub Skygarden on Tuesday morning, allegedly with white powder in his bumbag that police suspected was cocaine. 

But analysis of the substance ultimately revealed that it wasn’t drugs—the powder actually contained painkillers, caffeine and cough medicine, police later confirmed. While Murphy’s urine and blood tests also came back negative for drugs

Before the tests came back negative, it seemed likely that police would hand Murphy charges carrying a max of 12 years. 

Murphy flew back home with his family on Thursday night and are urging the media to give them distance. The teen’s father, Brendan Murphy gave a statement to the media outside their family’s Perth home. 

“Our lawyers have told us to not comment but what I will say is we’re so relieved to be home, Jamie’s a great lad, and can I ask that you please leave him alone,” Brendan Murphy said.

“We will issue a written statement in due course and there’s nothing more to say.

“Can I stress this is a very difficult time for our family and would appreciate if you could you respect our privacy.” 

Murphy’s arrest drama happened right in the thick of “Schoolies Week”. 

While Murphy himself graduated last year and wasn’t technically a schoolie—an Australian school leaver celebrating the conclusion of exams—he had come to Bali on Sunday with two schoolie friends. 

RELATED

Australian teen released from Bali police custody, didn’t think the powder was drugs: police chief

Police confirm drug tests negative for Aussie teen, Skygarden explains arrest footage was ‘reenactment’

Powder allegedly found on Aussie at Bali’s Skygarden isn’t drugs: Report

Perth teen arrested at Skygarden spends first night in Bali jail, parents fly in from Oz

Aussie teen arrested in Bali nightclub with white powder: reports

 



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