An Australian father-of-two who was allegedly caught with meth while on holiday in Bali is struggling in prison.
Troy Smith, 49, from Port Lincoln in South Australia, was allegedly caught with 3.19 grams of methamphetamine at the Champlung Mas Hotel in Legian, Bali, on April 30. If convicted, he faces 12 years in prison.
Police allegedly found 3.14 grams of methamphetamine hidden in a Colgate toothpaste tube sent to Smith from Cairns, in a package labeled as containing private paper, photos and lubricant.
Police are said to have found another 0.4 grams of the drug bought in Bali, along with a hookah and a lighter.
Troy Smith, 49, has cried in a Balinese prison after he was allegedly caught with 3.19 grams of methamphetamine at Champlung Mas Hotel in Legian on April 30
Mr Smith’s wife, Tracy Ijusa (pictured), whom he married in December
Smith’s attorneys said the drug package was allegedly sent to him by a friend as a thank you for his help with a car purchase, and that Smith did not know what was inside.
Mr Smith’s lawyer, Edward Pangkahili, said Mr Smith had cried in prison and was very stressed after the charges. The advertiser reports.
Smith was initially charged with drug possession, which carries a maximum sentence of 12 years, but was later charged with drug trafficking.
Outside a police press conference on Monday, one of Smith’s lawyers, Sienny Karmana, said his client had tried to evade arrest “because he was scared”, with police firing two warning shots into the air before he was apprehended.
“The police said he tried to run away, but the police caught him back. “They fired shots in the air, he was surprised and then fell down and the police caught him,” she said.
Just a few weeks ago, he was enjoying a globe-trotting life as a newlywed after tying the knot with his wife, Tracy Ijusa, after they met on Tinder.
He proposed in Bali in October, and the couple married in late December in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, where Ms Ijusa is from.
Photos from the day show the couple loved the Lenana Mount Hotel. while other photos show them visiting the Maasai Mara National Reserve conservation park.
The couple then returned to Bali, with photos showing the couple enjoying their time on the Indonesian island since February.
Life in luxury and hotel pools now seems a distant memory for Smith, who has spent years behind bars in the prison where Schapelle Corby and the Bali Nine spent time.
Mr Pangkahila revealed that his client’s wife struggled to come to terms with the arrest.
“Mrs Ijusa cried at the police station when she found out.”
Mr Smith is currently being held in an overcrowded concrete cell at the Denpasar police station with only a bucket to use as a toilet.
Officers will continue to question Mr. Smith on Monday, according to his lawyer, who insisted the meeting would not be an “interrogation.”
Mrs. Ijusa is also expected to return the same day to support her husband.
At a press conference at Port Lincoln Hospital on Friday, Prime Minister Peter Malinauskas said Mr Smith was receiving Commonwealth assistance.
“We are not involved as a state government, but I understand the Commonwealth is seeking to provide consular assistance to the gentleman involved,” Mr Malinauskas said.
‘The allegations are serious in nature; they would be serious in Australia, but particularly serious in Bali.
“It is all too common for there to be allegations against Australians using illicit substances in countries like Indonesia.
“These are serious allegations and I am confident they will be dealt with through the appropriate channels.”
Mr Smith and Ms Ijusa had been on holiday following their wedding in December, which ended with Mr Smith’s arrest
Police raided Mr Smith’s room at the four-star Champlung Mas Hotel (pictured)
Smith had struggled with alcoholism earlier in his life, which led to his children cutting off contact with him and his marriage failing.
He said his world changed after meeting Mrs. Ijusa.
“I’ve had an interesting last 12 years,” Mr. Smith said in the video.
‘Chronic alcoholic, hit rock bottom. You couldn’t have drank more than me.
‘I saw no way out and honestly I probably should have died. Children don’t talk to me anymore.
‘But then in the most bizarre circumstances during a Tinder meeting I met this girl in Nairobi and I’ve been in Bali ever since.
‘Now I love life. This girl gives me the motivation to do anything. She is my life now.”