‘I was framed’: Accused Bali cocaine smuggler breaks his silence

Lamar Ahchee, who faces the death penalty in Bali, has broken his silence over his alleged role in an international 1.8kg cocaine smuggling plot. See the video.

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An Australian accused of smuggling $1.14m worth of cocaine into Bali allegedly tested positive for drugs on arrest, but claims he was framed and had no idea two packages he collected were stacked with narcotics.

Lamar Aaron Ahchee, 43, was arrested by about seven police officers in plain clothes at his lavish two-bedroom rental near Canggu on Thursday after he was allegedly caught collecting two parcels, sent from the UK, with 1.8kg of cocaine concealed in chocolate boxes.

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”.

Lamar Ahchee was arrested at an apartment near Canggu on Friday for his alleged role in a $1.14m cocaine smuggling plot.

Lamar Ahchee is originally from Cairns, but had been living in Indonesia for a number of years prior to his arrest on Thursday.

However, this masthead can now reveal that Mr Ahchee allegedly tested positive for drugs following his arrest, but told his lawyer Edward Pangkahila that he was only a “drug addict” – not a drug dealer.

“Lamar has been set up by someone called ‘Boss’,” Mr Pangkahila said.

“He was told to collect the package, but he actually didn’t know what the package was … He thought it was a normal package.”

Mr Pangkahila said his client firmly denied dealing drugs.

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

Lamar Aaron Ahchee cried with terror during a during a press conference on Monday (above). Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

Lamar Ahchee’s lawyer Edward Pangkahila (pictured on Tuesday) said his client is “shocked and stressed” because he faces the death penalty.

The lawyer said Mr Ahchee cried when he was placed in custody on Thursday, and then again at a press conference on Monday, because he was so scared.

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 yet 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.

Pictured: The apartment where Lamar Aaron Ahchee was living prior to his arrest on Thursday. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

The laneway where Lamar Ahchee was arrested by about seven police officers on Thursday

The packages allegedly contained two gold Lindt chocolate boxes with balls of cocaine rolled into chocolate truffle wrappers.

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 $1.14m.

A construction worker told this masthead he was taking a break on Thursday afternoon when the arrest unfolded.

“I was just going to take a break when I saw a lot of people in the street,” he said.

Lamar Ahchee is pictured playing soccer in Cairns in the early 2000s.

“I didn’t know what happened at the time, but then I heard a foreigner was arrested [allegedly] because of drugs.”

Mr Ahchee grew up playing soccer in Cairns, Far North Queensland, before he moved to Sydney in the early 2000s and eventually relocated to Indonesia.

His father is a retired cop, Senior Constable Les Ahchee.

Originally published as ‘I was framed’: Accused Bali cocaine smuggler breaks his silence