Family of alleged Aussie cocaine smuggler Lamar Ahchee blindsided by Bali arrest

The lawyer for Lamar Ahchee, who faces the death penalty over allegedly smuggling 1.8kg of cocaine, has revealed how his parents found out about his shock arrest. See the video.

An Australian man accused of trafficking $1.14m of cocaine into Bali didn’t tell his parents he was arrested, they found out four days later via media reports.

Lamar Ahchee, 43, was arrested on Thursday over allegations that he tried to smuggle narcotics into Indonesia, concealed inside gold Lindt chocolate boxes.

One of his lawyers Edward Pangkahila said on Tuesday that his client was “set up” by a mystery person in the UK known only as “Boss”.

It can now be revealed that Mr Ahchee told another member of his legal team, Sienny Karmana: “I am a drug user, but this is too much.”

He was referring to the 1.8kg of cocaine allegedly delivered to him.

Lamar Aaron Ahchee is pictured being escorted back to the cell after speaking to his mother in an interrogation room on Wednesday. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

Ms Karmana told this masthead that her client was placed in an interrogation room on Wednesday and spoke to his mother for 20 minutes, using her phone.

She said he didn’t tell his parents about the arrest because he was in shock and was worried about their reaction.

It was only after a press conference on Tuesday, when he was dragged before the public by police, that he decided to share the news with his family.

He first spoke with his mother for five minutes on Tuesday, during which he cried and apologised to her.

Mr Ahchee is yet to speak with his father, who is a retired cop.

“He was talking to them about his situation right now, but he is OK,” Ms Karmana said.

“He was in shock yesterday about jail and things, but he’s fine now.”

Lamar Ahchee’s lawyer Sienny Karmana speaks to media outside Bali prison.

She confirmed that he used the drugs, but did not deal them.

“For him, it was too much,” she said, referring to the 1.8kg of cocaine.

Mr Ahchee tested positive for drugs following his arrest.

On Tuesday, his other lawyer Mr Pangkahila said Mr Ahchee was “told to collect the package, but he actually didn’t know what the package was … He thought it was a normal package.

Lamar Ahcheewas living in Bali for a number of years before his arrest on Thursday.

“He didn’t admit [to drug dealing], he is shocked about the case, he never thought that would happen.”

Following the arrest, police allege they found digital scales and plastic bags in his holiday rental.

Police are now investigating ‘Boss’, the UK stranger who sent the packages.

Mr Ahchee has not been charged.

He lived in the same villa near Canggu for about a year prior to his arrest.

If found guilty, he faces the death penalty or life in prison.

Police allege Mr Ahchee was allegedly promised 50m Indonesian rupiahs to receive and distribute the drugs, which had an estimated street value of about $1.14m.

Originally published as Family of alleged Aussie cocaine smuggler Lamar Ahchee blindsided by Bali arrest