Melbourne man accused of Bali drug possession makes bid for rehab
Melbourne man David Van Iersel, who faces up to 12 years in a Bali prison over drug allegations, was “in the wrong place at the wrong time” when he was arrested, and had no evidence of cocaine on him, his lawyer says.
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A Melbourne nightclub figure facing up to 12 years in a Bali prison is trying to check himself into rehabilitation, a move that could also lead to a significantly reduced jail sentence.
David Van Iersel’s lawyer this week submitted a request to Indonesian police asking that the 38-year-old be assessed to undergo rehabilitation at Bhayangkara hospital, a facility in Indonesia’s East Java province.
His lawyer, Denny Sedana, who was desperately trying to get medical documents sent from Mr Van Iersel’s family in Melbourne, said Mr Van Iersel had previously undertaken treatment in Australia.
“He said he had a history of using (narcotics),” Mr Sedana told the Herald Sun.
“That was about two years ago.”
The Herald Sun understands if Mr Van Iersel did undergo rehabilitation, it would be taken into account by a judge and he would likely face a maximum sentence of about four years’ jail, instead of 12.
Both Mr Van Iersel and Will Cabantog were interrogated for three hours this week before being returned to their shared prison cell. The pair was seen in handcuffs, wearing orange jumpsuits.
Mr Sedana said his client was “very co-operative” and was asked 12 questions during the interrogation by police.
He said Mr Van Iersel was “in the wrong place at the wrong time” when he was arrested by police and his client had no evidence of cocaine on him when he was arrested.
Indonesian police said they were searching “high and low” in Denpasar and Kuta for another foreigner with the initial N who is believed to have supplied the pair with cocaine.
Mr Cabantog and Mr Van Iersel were arrested at the Lost City nightclub in Canggu about 2.30am on July 19 and were allegedly caught with 1.2 grams of cocaine.
The pair of nightclub promoters from Melbourne face up to 60 days in a police cell of about 5m x 10m before being transferred to the notorious Kerobokan Prison.
A third man embroiled in the saga, named last week by the Herald Sun as Melbourne nightclub identity Rory Higgins, left the tourist island after hearing of the arrests.
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Bali-based sources told the Herald Sun tip-offs involving a former senior operator at Melbourne’s Love Machine nightclub prompted several Aussie expats to go to ground and plan their departure from Bali.
The raids are believed to have been carried out in relation to an alleged cocaine trafficking ring.
David Iersel’s mother, Helene Van Iersel, declined to comment on her son when she was contacted by the Herald Sun.