Aussie man allegedly promised $4700 for botched Bali cocaine smuggling plot

Aussie man Lamar Aaron Ahchee, arrested over a 1.8kg of cocaine haul in Bali, was allegedly promised $4700 to smuggle the drug by a stranger, after he left his high-profile job.

EXCLUSIVE: An Australian man appears to have left his job just months before a stranger from the UK, who he knew only as “boss”, allegedly promised him $A4700 to smuggle 1.8kg of cocaine into Bali.

Lamar Aaron Ahchee, 43, was arrested at an apartment in Canggu, on the island’s south, during a controlled operation by Indonesian drug squads on Thursday.

The packages, which came from England, allegedly contained two gold Lindt chocolate boxes with balls of cocaine rolled into chocolate truffle wrappers.

Lamar Ahchee was arrested at an apartment in Bali after customs officials allegedly found a suspicious package.

In a social media post, Lamar Ahchee said he was looking forward to starting a life in Bali with his girlfriend (pictured).

According to police, Mr Ahchee was allegedly promised 50m Indonesian rupiahs to receive and distribute the drugs, which had an estimated street value of about $1.4m.

He allegedly told police he did not know the name of the original owner of the narcotics, referring to them only as “boss”.

About a year ago, Mr Ahchee – who is originally from Cairns in Queensland – appeared to be looking forward to becoming the venue manager for Brick Lane, a bar and club in Canggu, a popular tourist destination.

“Our new project opening soon, early 2024 in the heart of Canggu. This is a cutting edge venue design and I can’t wait until we get to the excitement with our menu and cocktails,” he wrote last March on social media, urging his friends to like or follow the business on Instagram.

Lamar Ahchee appears to have left his job as general manager of a busy bar and club in Bali, just months before he was arrested over 1.8kg of cocaine

He was also looking forward to starting a life in Bali with his girlfriend, who he described as a “deadly combination – a great sense of humour and a dirty mind”.

“No person is sent to you by accident, the universe fights for certain souls to find one another, trust me I’m 42. I believe when it’s finally right, everything that you love ruthlessly, will love you back with the same conviction. They led you to the person you were meant to be,” he wrote.

“No one can tell you or show you, it’s a feeling like no other. When you know, you know. I love you and I can’t wait for your life with me in Bali.”

Lamar Aaron Ahchee with Bali police during a press conference on Monday. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

However, things appeared to have taken a nosedive by October when he announced that he was moving out of the Brick Lane business.

“As I step away from General Manager at Brick Lane to embark on new adventures, I want to take a moment to reflect on this incredible journey,” he wrote.

“From a slab of concrete to conceptualising a new vision, redesigning, and eventually transforming this space into a true spaceship, it’s been a ride that I will always be proud of.

Lamar Ahchee was escorted by Bali Police on Monday. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

The package allegedly received by Lamar Ahchee last Thursday. Police allege it had about 1.8kg of cocaine inside, concealed in Lindt chocolate boxes. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

“Wishing Brick Lane continued success, growth, and endless possibilities in the future, to building more unforgettable memories, and perfect island days.”

During a press conference in Bali on Monday, Mr Ahchee was seen crying as he was dragged by police, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit and black balaclava.

If found guilty, Mr Ahchee could get a 20-year prison sentence, a life sentence, or the death penalty.

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