Aussie faces years in prison after Bali marijuana, pills arrest
An Australian man allegedly found with drugs in his luggage in Bali has been charged with narcotics possession.
James Baker, 32, from Mount Isa in Queensland was detained after arriving in Bali’s Ngurah Rai airport from Bangkok on October 8.
When his luggage was X-rayed officers found 36g of marijuana mixed with tobacco and 37 Diazepam antidepressant pills.
Police allege Mr Baker tried to avoid a urine test on Monday by climbing through a ventilation shaft. He was found 10 hours later in the beach village of Canggu.
Mr Baker’s lawyer told Fairfax her client is mentally ill and not accountable for his actions.
Customs allegedly discovered a number of antidepressant pills in the man's luggage. Source: 7 News
Pande Mutu Maya Arsanti said Mr Baker “hallucinates” and has “abnormal” behaviour. He also underwent a medical examination after his arrest and doctors suggested keeping him overnight.
“He will complain he is dizzy, and we then have to take a break for him to consume his medicine or he will do something we don’t want,” she said.
News Corp reports Mr Baker told police he bought the drugs from Australia to Bali with him and he did not believe he was guilty because it is legal to use marijuana in Australia.
Police allege he told them he often consumed marijuana on trips to Bali and had also purchased it on the holiday island.
Joshua James Baker was stopped by customs in Bali. Source: 7 News
Police will also use the details of Mr Baker’s escape through the ventilation shaft as evidence against him.
It’s alleged the 32-year-old, while in police custody, asked to use the bathroom before climbing through the vent and running to a nearby supermarket.
It’s there he borrowed a phone, rang a taxi and went to a British friend’s home in Canggu. From Canggu he travelled to Nusa Dua, pretended he was entering his house and tried to open the gate before the taxi left.
It’s after the taxi left he travelled back 28km to Canggu.
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Mr Baker allegedly climbed through an air vent to escape police. Source: Supplied
Bali police narcotics directorate Sudjarwoko said he handed out photos of Mr Baker to cages, hotels, restaurants and other public areas to find him.
Eventually, hotel staff tipped Bali police off.
Mr Baker’s arrest again brings to light Indonesia’s tough drug laws with sentences including the death penalty for smugglers who carry more than 5g.
Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran sparked diplomatic outcry when they were killed by firing squad a few years ago.
