Indonesia sentences Australian man to 6-month rehabilitation over drug possession in Bali

DENPASAR, Indonesia (AP) — An Indonesian court sentenced an Australian man to six-month medical rehabilitation on Thursday after finding him guilty of possessing methamphetamine on the tourist island of Bali.

Troy Andrew Smith, from Port Lincoln in South Australia, was arrested on April 30 after police raided his hotel in Legian, a popular tourist spot near Kuta Beach, and seized 3.15 grams (0.1 ounce) of crystal methamphetamine inside a toothpaste container from his room. Police found a further 0.4 grams of the drug, along with a bong and a lighter in his desk drawer.

His earlier charge of drug trafficking was dropped, it would’ve carried the death penalty.

The arrest followed a tip that Smith had received a suspicious package containing toothpaste by mail from Australia. Under Indonesia’s tough drug laws, he faces up to 12 years in prison if found guilty.

Smith sat silently as a panel of three judges at Denpasar District Court handed down the punishment. The judges also ordered the time he has already served rehabilitation since he was arrested to be deducted from his sentence, meaning he will be free in several months.

“The defendant did commit a criminal offense of misuse class I narcotics for personal use,” said Presiding Judge Ketut Suarta, “What he has done is counter the government’s efforts to fight drug trafficking.”

Prosecutors had sought an eight-month medical rehabilitation for Smith, but the judges said they reduced the penalty because Smith regretted his acts and promised to reform.

During the trial that began two weeks ago, the 49-year-old accountant told the court that he ordered the drugs from a man in Australia three weeks before his arrest and that he regretted his actions and apologized.

He said that he