Aussie arrested for marijuana possession upon arrival in Bali

Australian national TRB (41) in police custody after he was arrested for marijuana possession at Ngurah Rai Airport on Feb. 15, 2023. Photo: Bali Police
Australian national TRB (41) in police custody after he was arrested for marijuana possession at Ngurah Rai Airport on Feb. 15, 2023. Photo: Bali Police

An Australian national was arrested upon landing in Bali, police said today, after he was caught traveling with marijuana.

Customs officers at the Ngurah Rai International Airport apprehended the 41-year-old man, who was identified by his initials TRB, when he arrived in Bali on Feb. 15. 

“The suspect alighted from his plane and put his belongings through the X-ray machine. Customs officers spotted something suspicious, told him to open his baggage and found [the marijuana],” Bali Police spokesman Stefanus Satake Bayu Setianto said today.

Authorities say they found 25.18 grams of marijuana belonging to TRB.

TRB told the police that he bought the illicit substance in Australia and decided to take it on his Bali holiday.

TRB was charged with possession of marijuana weighing under 1 kilogram, which is punishable by up to 12 years’ imprisonment under the 2009 Narcotics Law. He has not been charged with drug trafficking, which carries even more severe potential penalties including life imprisonment and the death penalty.



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