Australian Jason Scott McIntyre may face a lighter sanction for the
possession of 5.18 grams of marijuana as early police findings indicate
that he was not a dealer, Bali Police says.
Bali Police spokesperson Gde Suginyar said Friday that McIntyre would be charged under article 78 point 1 of the 1997 law on drug abuse, requiring him to pay up to Rp 500 million (US$46,500) in fines apart from serving jail terms if found guilty.
The maximum penalty for drug dealers is up to 15 years imprisonment plus up to Rp 750 million in fines. Marijuana producers, the law says, can get up to 20 years imprisonment and up to Rp 1 billion fine.
“We will charge him by the article as our preliminary findings indicate that he bought the marijuana for personal use,” Gde said as quoted by Antara state news agency.
Police caught McIntyre with 5.18 grams of marijuana outside a nightclub in Kuta, Bali, on April 20, only a few days after his arrival on the island.
According to McIntyre’s confession, Gde said, the illegal substance was acquired in Kuta through a woman identified as Lili. Bali Police Drug Squad Colonel Kokot Indarto said he had deployed a team to find the alleged marijuana seller. (adh)
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