Darwin man arrested in Bali used drugs for pain after back injury, according to his lawyer
An Australian castaway rescued by Indonesia officials only to be hit with drug charges has given an unexpected explanation for his drug possession.
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Darwin man Anthony Haritos used drugs to ‘self medicate’ for pain caused by a fall on his catamaran that set him adrift at sea for four days off the coast of Indonesia’s Sumba island, according to his lawyer.
Haritos, 63, arrived by ambulance at Bali’s Siloham hospital, near Kuta, strapped to a stretcher and holding a mobile phone.
He will undergo an MRI and further observations for a back injury.
After his rescue, police searched his catamaran and allegedly found 0.006 grams of methamphetamine hidden under a bed.
His lawyer said that he admitted owning the drugs.
He has been arrested on drug charges that could attract a maximum penalty of 12 years prison under Indonesia’s harsh anti-narcotic laws.
Ms Sienny Karmana, lawyer for Haritos, said the man bought the drugs in Bali one-and-a-half years ago to treat pain from an old back injury sustained in Dili in 2003.
“He last used (the drug) when he fell down on his boat. He wanted to reduce the pain so he used it again just before he was rescued,” she said.
The well-known Darwin businessman was rescued by locals and found exhausted, and dehydrated and sent to a local hospital.
He was sailing from Australia to Rote when he hit bad weather, which damaged the vessel.
Police requested the hospital drug test the man because they had matched him to images on social media showing a man with identical tattoos to Haritos, appearing to take drugs.
The tests registered positive for methamphetamine, police will allege.
In Darwin, Haritos is a director of shipping firm Haritos Shipping.
He is also a director of an international school in Dili, East Timor.
“We still don’t know how long he will he be treated here (in Bali). He needs an MRI and further observation,” Ms Karmana said.
She told reporters at Siloam Hospital that the recent fall on the catamaran aggravated the old back injury so he used the drug to self medicate for pain.
“He just wanted a cure. It’s not good to be paralysed like this. He does not want to be a cripple,” she said.
Edward Firdaus Pangkahila, another lawyer for Haritos, said he has asked the East Sumba Police Chief and BNN (the National Narcotics Agency) that the trial be moved from Sumba to Bali.
“The judge will still be from East Sumba court, as well as the prosecutor,” Mr Pangkahila said.
Originally published as Darwin man arrested in Bali used drugs for pain after back injury, according to his lawyer