How a wife's birthday surprise turned into a nightmare
A surprise trip to Bali for a woman’s birthday has turned into a nightmare for a NSW couple.
Linda Peterson and her husband Michael, a former air force technician, were on a getaway for her birthday when Mr Peterson was arrested after landing on the tourist island on Friday, Nine News reports.
Mr Peterson, from the Hunter Region, was found with Dexamfetamine while going through customs and could face 20 years’ jail due to the country’s strict drug laws.
Dexamfetamine is used for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy.
The 47-year-old remains behind bars. On Monday, his legal team and wife visited him in jail.
Nine News captured the moment he embraced his wife while holding her birthday cake.
He told 7News he booked the trip as a surprise for his wife.
“I just didn’t give it (bringing the medication) a thought,” he said.
“Because I’ve travelled with defence as well, taking that drug, I didn’t think anything of it.”
Mr Peterson said he needs the medication to counter extreme fatigue as a result of his work in the air force.
But authorities are questioning why he has 87 tablets despite staying in Bali for four days. He also doesn’t have a prescription with him.
The Government’s Smart Traveller site notes “some drugs used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are illegal in Indonesia”.
“If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Indonesia,” the section reads.
“Take enough legal medicine for your trip.”
Mr Peterson’s lawyer Edward Pangkahila told 7News on Monday he’s confident his client will avoid drug charges with information from the doctor now in the hands of narcotics police.
He’s hopeful the Australian man will be released on Monday or Tuesday.
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