Aussie breaks down in Bali after shock confession to secret crypto drug deal

Australian man Puridas Robinson, who is facing prison in Bali, has claimed he was framed after he was allegedly busted with 600g of marijuana, and made an astonishing crypto confession.

Exclusive: An Australian man facing prison in Bali has cried while being paraded before the public, as it’s revealed he confessed to buying 120g of marijuana using cryptocurrency from a dealer on Instagram.

Puridas Robinson, originally from Queensland, was arrested at a home in Denpasar on May 29 after police allegedly caught Indian national Harsh Nowlakha, 31, trying to smuggle the drugs through Bali’s international airport.

Mr Nowlakha claimed the drugs were to be delivered to Mr Robinson’s villa. When police followed him to Mr Robinson’s house to complete the delivery, the Australian said he didn’t order the drugs.

Australian Purina Robinson during the press conference at the Indonesia Narcotic Board office in Bali. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

Pictured: Australian man Puridas Robinson, 40, who was arrested in Bali.

Cops then raided Mr Robinson’s house and found 20g of marijuana, along with digital scales and small plastic bags.

During questioning, police say Mr Robinson bought 120g of marijuana for personal use from a dealer on social media.

He had already consumed 100g by the time cops raided his house, and only 20g was left. He repeatedly told police that he had no links to Mr Nowlakha.

On Thursday, a teary-eyed Mr Robinson, 40, shielded his face as he was brought before a press conference in Denpasar, along with about 20 other tourists accused of trafficking drugs into Indonesia.

Australian Puridas Robinson after being arrested. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

Indonesian police hold a press conference on the arrest of an Australian man and five others arrested for allegedly smuggling marijuana into Bali. Picture: Supplied

Mr Nowlakha could also be seen at the line-up, covering his eyes with a face mask.

During the press conference, cops put Mr Robinson’s alleged 20g of marijuana on display, along with Mr Nowlakha’s alleged stash – which included 191g of hashish, a highly potent cannabis concentrate, 92g of THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis, and 488g of marijuana.

The drugs were packed into plastic bags, honey jars and tea containers.

Mr Robinson and Mr Nowlakha were among five arrested on the same day, including two people from Kazakhstan and one US national.

In Indonesia, marijuana is a Class 1 narcotic in the same category as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, LSD, and MDMA.

Evidence showcased by the Indonesia Narcotic Agency. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

If police can’t find a connection between the two men, Mr Robinson faces a maximum sentence of 12 years behind bars if convicted.

If convicted, Mr Nowlakha faces a life sentence.

Mr Robinson has lived in Bali for a number of years, he’s married, and follows the Hindu faith.

He was the second Australian to be arrested in Bali for alleged drug possession within a week.

Originally published as Aussie breaks down in Bali after shock confession to secret crypto drug deal