An Australian man remains behind bars in Bali after police allegedly found methamphetamine hidden in a tube of toothpaste shipped from Cairns in his hotel villa.
South Australian father-of-two Troy Smith was arrested last Thursday at a four-star hotel in the resort town of Legian near Kuta, where Indonesian police allegedly seized 3.14 grams of methamphetamine.
Smith, who arrived in Bali last week with his four-month-old wife Tracey, has been charged with drug possession, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 12 years and a fine of about $756,000 (R8 billion).
Smith, from the South Australian fishing village of Port Lincoln, remains in police custody in the Balinese capital Denpasar.
Australian father-of-two Troy Smith (pictured right with wife Tracey) has been charged with drug possession in Bali
His lawyer Ida Bagus Gumilang Galih Sakti has since revealed that a package sent to Smith from Cairns aroused police suspicion.
This despite the fact that the package stated that it contained only private papers, photos and lubricant.
However, when police searched Smith’s room at the Champlung Mas Hotel, they allegedly found 3.10 grams of crystal meth hidden in a tube of toothpaste from the packaging.
They also allegedly found another 0.04 grams of meth that Smith had purchased in Bali, along with a hookah and a lighter.
Police alleged that Smith purchased the methamphetamine in Bali.
Bali police narcotics director Iwan Eka Putra said investigations were ongoing.
Indonesian police claim they have found crystal meth in Troy Smith’s four-star beach resort hotel room in Bali
Mr Sakti told Nine News his client admitted he was in possession of the drugs because he was addicted.
“He also admitted that his friend sent it because he is a user,” Mr Sati said.
Smith’s legal team indicated they will argue that he has been addicted to drugs for four years and that he should be sent to rehabilitation instead of prison.
“We will do everything we can do as a lawyer … use our knowledge and everything to prove that he is in fact a user,” Mr Sakti said.
“We’re trying to get him rehabilitated, we’ll do everything we can to prove it was for his use.”
“He’s obviously a little shaken by the situation, because of what’s happening… a very intense interview with the police.”
His wife Tracey was also arrested but later released without charge.
She stayed in Bali to support her husband.
Adelaide Crows AFL fan Troy Smith is from the South Australian city of Port Lincoln, where he has worked as a fisherman and for the municipality
Troy Smith and his partner Tracey will get married on December 30 in Kenya
It is understood Smith’s relatives flew to Bali on Wednesday evening.
“There is family there who supports him in every way possible,” a source told the newspaper Adelaide Advertiser.
‘They don’t know what’s going on. They’re just in shock.’
The source described the drug use as “out of character” for Smith, who was “just a pretty regular guy who wouldn’t normally (supposedly) do something so stupid,” they said.
Smith has worked as a fisherman and for the council in Port Lincoln.
On his Instagram account, he and Tracey were seen on holiday in Bali several times last year.
Other social media posts from the couple show them on their recent wedding day in December.
Ms Smith uploaded several photos of the couple in wedding attire with the captions ‘eternity’ and ‘the perfect day’.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance to Smith.
The Australian government website Smart Traveler warns of the harsh penalties drug use can bring in Indonesia.
‘The penalties for drug offenses include heavy fines, long prison sentences and the death penalty. Police are targeting tourist destinations,” the website said.
“You can face heavy fines or jail time for possession of even small amounts of drugs, including marijuana.”
Posts on social media show that Troy Smith and his new wife visit Bali regularly