Indonesian police have arrested an Australian woman allegedly found with 59 millilitres of vape liquid containing cannabis that she said was for pain relief but can land her in prison.
The woman, 53, risks 20 years behind bars under Indonesia’s no-exceptions anti-drug laws, narcotics officer I Nyoman Diana Mahardika told AFP on Thursday.
The unnamed woman was arrested last month at her rented house on the resort island of Lombok after police found out she had allegedly received a delivery of liquid cannabis.
She reportedly told officers she used a cannabis vape to relieve knee pain and depression, but Mr Mahardika said it would be investigated as a crime regardless.
“She must comply with the laws and regulations in force in our country. As for narcotics such as marijuana, it must not be possessed, used, or traded within our jurisdiction,” Mr Mahardika said.
If found guilty, the woman risks a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a two-billion rupiah ($155,000) fine, he added.
Indonesia has some of the world’s toughest anti-drug laws, including the death penalty for traffickers, but has maintained a moratorium on executions for several years.
There are dozens of traffickers on death row in the country.
Indonesia last carried out executions in 2016, killing one Indonesian and three Nigerian drug convicts by firing squad.
In March, two British men were sentenced to nine and 11 years in prison respectively after they were found guilty of smuggling cocaine to the popular tourist island of Bali.
AFP
