An Australian man accused of smuggling drugs into Bali and potentially faces life behind bars has been identified.
Queensland man Puridas Robinson, 40, was arrested at a villa in West Denpasar last Thursday following an alleged tip-off from a co-accused accomplice.
Authorities arrested Indian national Harsh Nowlahka, 31, earlier in the day when he was allegedly found in possession of 600g of marijuana at Denpasar International Airport.
Bali National Narcotic Agency conducted further inquiries and has alleged that it was Robinson who ordered the narcotics.
Nowlahka allegedly told authorities he was supposed to deliver the drugs to Robinson’s home, sources told Daily Telegraph.
Authorities followed Nowlahka to Robinson’s villa, where officers allegedly uncovered a 104g stash of marijuana during a search of the property.
Robinson hasn’t yet been formally charged and has denied the allegations against him. He remains in custody.
He and Nowlakha were among five foreigners arrested as part of last week’s investigation.
Australian man Puridas Robinson was arrested in West Denpasar last Thursday accused of attempting to smuggle marijuana into Indonesia (stock image)
Robinson could face life behind bars in Bali (pictured) if he’s found guilty of drug trafficking
BNN spokesperson Made Dwi Saputra was tight-tipped regarding the allegations against Robinson, who is accused of drug trafficking and drug possession.
Mr Saputra told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday night that more details would be revealed on Thursday.
‘We will hold (a) press conference of some cases, including the Australian, tomorrow morning at 10am,’ he said.
Robinson faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if he is found guilty of drug trafficking.
A drug possession conviction attracts a jail term of up to 12 years.
In Indonesia, marijuana is a Class 1 narcotic along with heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, LSD, and MDMA.
Robinson’s arrest came days after a fellow Queenslander was arrested for alleged cocaine trafficking.
Lamar Ahchee, 43, was arrested in Canggu, a coastal village on the south-west coast of Bali, on May 22 accused of trafficking 1.8kg of cocaine worth $1.1m onto the tourist sland.
Robinson’s arrest came within days of another Australian man Lamar Achee being arrested in Canggu, Bali on suspicion of trafficking 1.8kg of cocaine
Police allege the Cairns man, who is the son of former Queensland senior constable Les Ahchee, collected two parcels of cocaine concealed in chocolate boxes, each containing 54 individual packets of the drug.
Ahchee has denied being a drug dealer and claimed that he was ‘framed’.
Ahchee, a confessed drug addict, allegedly tested positive for drugs while in custody.
His lawyer Edward Pangkahila said Ahchee denied any involvement in drug trafficking.
‘He’s telling me that honestly, he doesn’t know what was inside,’Mr Pangkahila said.
‘We’re still looking for that somebody who tell him to take this package.
‘The police have to find this guy.’
Robinson was arrested in Bali a week after fellow Aussie Lamar Ahchee (pictured) was detained over alleged cocaine trafficking
Ahchee (pictured on Monday) is accused of trying to smuggle cocaine onto the island
Ahchee has not been charged but remained in custody since his arrest.
He faces the death penalty if convicted.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been contacted for comment.
