Bali meth-accused SA dad Troy Smith has trafficking charges dropped

There’s been a major move in the case against Port Lincoln father Troy Smith – which means big things for his chances of spending life in a Bali jail.

A Port Lincoln father charged over more than 3g of meth allegedly found inside his Bali hotel is no longer facing life in prison, with authorities dropping trafficking charges against him.

Troy Smith, 49, was staring down possible life imprisonment after being charged with a number of drug offences, including trafficking charges.

On Monday, Bali Prosecutor Office Spokesperson Putu Agus Eka Sabana Putra said trafficking offences — which fall under Article 114 of the country’s drug laws — had now been dropped from Mr Smith’s case and Article 127, which relates to drug use, added.

This means Mr Smith is no longer facing the maximum life penalty and instead could be handed 12 years in prison or, if found by the court to be a drug addict, a stint in a rehabilitation facility.

He also faces a fine of 8bn Indonesian Rupiah (AU$739,340) if convicted.

Troy Smith has had his drugs charges downgraded in Bali. Picture: 7NEWS

Ms Smith is expected to face trial shortly, with his case officially handed to the Balinese prosecutor last week.

His lawyer Sienny Karmana said his charges had been downgraded after an assessment by the Bali’s National Narcotic Agency (BNN), which determines whether persons arrested on drugs charges in the country are users, addicts or dealers.

The organisation concluded that the father-of-two was not part of any narcotic syndicate and “was using drugs for himself”.

“The prosecutor decided to remove Article 114 and added Article 127 based on recommendation from the drugs assessment team, that found him as a drug user. He has been addicted to drugs for years,” Ms Karmana said.

“Which article that the panel of judges will use to sentence Troy will depend on the evidence in the court.

“We, as lawyers, only hope that the judge could sentence him to rehabilitation as he has suffered addiction.

“What he needs now is rehabilitation, not jail.”

Troy Smith's wife Tracy, who was travelling with her husband when police swooped on their hotel room. Mrs Smith is not accused of any wrongdoing. Picture: Komang Erviani

Mr Smith’s case is expected to go before a Balinese judge in coming weeks. Picture: Yuda

The 49-year-old father-of-two had been in Bali for just a week before police swooped on the hotel room he shared with new wife Tracy Ijusa, now Tracy Smith, who he married in Nairobi in December 2023.

There, they allege they discovered a package with 3.15g of methamphetamine stuffed inside a Colgate toothpaste container — a delivery Mr Smith’s lawyers have maintained was unsolicited.

Ms Karmana said Mr Smith was currently working through withdrawal symptoms at Anargya Sober House in Denpasar, a rehabilitation facility.

He was moved there from the 12-person cells of Bali’s Central Police Station on May 23.

She said he remained fearful that he would be “left alone” in the facility and struggled to remain calm.

“He is good, looks better, but still can’t concentrate,” Ms Karmana said.

“He still looks paranoid when meeting someone … he is overthinking. This condition is identical to people who suffer drugs withdrawal.”

Notable “fixer” John McLeod – an Australian security provider who helped orchestrate Schapelle Corby’s release from Kerobokan Prison – is currently in Bali assisting Mr Smith and his family with their case.

Mr McLeod said he had been engaged by Mr Smith’s sister after the arrest and had travelled to Cairns, where the 49-year-old lived, to gather evidence which was submitted to Balinese prosecutors.

He said his client’s move to get clean was “courageous but challenging” and he was “doing well” in the rehabilitation facility.

“We have to go through the legal process and it’s well out of our hands, we can present the case that we need to present — and we’ve presented some of that already ... but it’s not about luck or confidence, it’s about following the process,” Mr McLeod said.

“I think (rehab would be) a just sentence for the crime that he has allegedly committed, so it’s very forthright thinking by Indonesian authorities.

“(Mr Smith is) appreciative of the Indonesian system and very grateful (that Article 114 had been removed).”

Mr McLeod said Mr Smith had expressed significant remorse for his actions and was committed to getting his life back on track.

“He’s ashamed and he’s sorry, he’s disgusted in himself,” he said.

“He’s been doing a lot of reflecting and that’s what happens when you get sober.”

Originally published as Bali meth-accused SA dad Troy Smith has trafficking charges dropped