Family of Aussie facing death penalty over alleged cocaine plot breaks cover in Bali

Australian Lamar Ahchee, who has been accused of trying to smuggle $1.14m worth of cocaine into Bali, has made a shocking claim as his family members arrived in Bali.

An Australian man accused of smuggling $1.14m of cocaine into Bali says scales and bags in his room were for his own personal drug habit, not for dealing.

Lamar Ahchee didn’t tell his parents, who live in Cairns, that he was arrested on May 22 for allegedly trying to smuggle 1.8kg of narcotics into Indonesia, leaving them to find out four days later via media reports.

On Tuesday, he sat in an interrogation room and apologised to his mother during a five-minute call using his lawyer’s phone.

This masthead understands two members of the Ahchee family arrived in Bali on Saturday, ahead of their new media consultant John McLeod.

Lamar Ahchee's mother and sister arrive at Bali Police HQ. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

They were accompanied by new media consultant John McLeod. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

On Monday, footage showed Mr Ahchee being moved from custody to the investigator’s office at police headquarters to speak with consulate officials, wearing an orange jumpsuit and a black ski mask.

Shortly after that, his mother and sister arrived at the investigator’s office.

Mr McLeod told media the situation was “very confronting” for the family.

Police allege they found digital scales and plastic bags in his holiday rental, but Mr Ahchee claims they were for his own personal use.

One of his lawyers, Sienny Karmana, told this masthead “he said the scales and some of the plastic cases were for his own consumption, if he bought some cocaine and wanted to re-scale”.

Mr Ahchee was arrested by about seven police officers at his holiday rental near Canggu after he was allegedly caught collecting two parcels, sent from the UK, with 1.8kg of cocaine concealed in chocolate boxes.

Lamar Ahchee is escorted by police from his cell to the interrogation room at Bali Police HQ. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

Police allege he was offered 50m Indonesian rupiah, the equivalent of $A4700, to receive and distribute the drugs from a stranger in England known only as “Boss”.

On Tuesday, his lawyer Mr Pangkahila said Mr Ahchee claimed he was framed.

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

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

Mr Ahchee tested positive for drugs following his arrest, but told his lawyer he was a drug user – not a drug dealer.

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.