Possible death penalty for New Zealand man after Indonesian authorities carry out reported Bali drug bust

  • 01/10/2022
The man was reportedly delivered the package containing meth, MDMA and cocaine via a post office box in the Bali capital of Denpasar.
The man was reportedly delivered the package containing meth, MDMA and cocaine via a post office box in the Bali capital of Denpasar. Photo credit: Getty Images

A New Zealand man is facing a possible death penalty sentence after Indonesian authorities reportedly found a package full of drugs in his mailbox.

The 42-year-old man, named only as "MP", was delivered the package containing meth, MDMA and cocaine via a post office box in the Bali capital of Denpasar, local media reported. The drugs were subsequently detected by sniffer dogs. 

Indonesian authorities arrested the man in late August. Drug trafficking convictions in the country carry sentences as harsh as the death penalty.

Local police chief Sugianyar Dwi said the man, described as "half Indonesian", was suspected of being linked to a wider drug trafficking operation, Coconuts Bali reported. 

The man reportedly claimed the package was a birthday gift.

"MP" won't be the first New Zealander to face drug trafficking charges in Bali. Antony de Malmanche was sentenced to 15 years in prison there after being caught with meth in his backpack when he landed in Denpasar nearly eight years ago. 

De Malmanche claimed he was set up by a girlfriend he met online.