Friends fear for Melbourne nightclub promoter Will Cabantog following arrest in Bali

A close friend of Melbourne nightclub promoter Will Cabantog — who was arrested in a Bali drug sting — say he is “a big softie” and believe he would be “distressed” at the prospect of spending 12 years in a Bali prison.

A close friend of Melbourne nightclub promoter Will Cabantog has raised fears for his safety as he faces up to 12 years in a Bali prison.

Nyssa Large was shocked to read in the news that her “best friend” had been arrested in a dramatic drug raid on Canggu’s Lost City nightclub on Friday.

Police alleged that they had a week earlier received a tip about foreigners using drugs and found the 35-year-old with cocaine in his pants pocket.

Nyssa Large fears for friend, Will Cabantog. Picture: Supplied

Ms Large, who met Mr Cabantog through mutual friends, described him as a “big softie”.

“He is the most fun-loving, genuine, caring person — everyone in Melbourne knows this,” she told the Herald Sun.

“He is a big softie as well, which is why what’s happened is really horrible.

“The scenario that he is in ... it is really unfortunate that it has all happened.

“What is happening to him I know will be distressing him.”

Will Cabantog escorted by police. Photo: J.P. Christo

Will Cabantog during press conference in Denpasar on Tuesday. Photo: J.P. Christo

Ms Large said Mr Cabantog had been the target of “disgusting” comments since his arrest.

“People need to have some empathy in these situations,” she said.

“He’s not a bad person.”

Ms Large said she feared for Mr Cabantog’s mental health and “what is going to happen to him”.

“Obviously it is not like Australia,” she said of Indonesia’s hard line approach to drugs.

In an emotional Instagram post from February, Mr Cabantog described Ms Large as “my rock my world my everything”.

He begged his friend, who previously hit headlines for partying with pop star Justin Bieber, to “come to the island”.

Nyssa Large fears for Will Cabantog’s mental health. Picture: Supplied

Will Cabantog described his friend as his “spirit animal”. Picture: Supplied

“Been best friends for over 10 years and still the most down to earth genuine loving and supportive person in my life,” he posted.

“You girl are my spirit animal and will love you for ever and ever.”

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The Herald Sun understands that Mr Cabantog moved to Bali last year to escape Melbourne’s full-on lifestyle.

He told his social media followers that he found himself on the popular tourist island and was “not the man I used to be”.

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Originally published as Friends fear for Melbourne nightclub promoter Will Cabantog following arrest in Bali