Aussie tourists warned about smuggling drugs into Bali as Brazilian teen faces ... trends now
A young tourist could face the death penalty after she allegedly attempted to smuggle drugs into Bali, prompting a renewed warning to Australian travellers.
Brazilian national Manuela Vitoria de Araujo Farias, 19, claims she was tricked by a gang after three kilograms of cocaine were allegedly found in her luggage when she arrived on the popular Indonesian island last month.
She could be executed by Bali's firing squad if she is convicted of trafficking under Indonesia's strict anti-drug laws.
She was arrested at Bali International Airport on January 27, just days after an West Australian surfing and diving instructor who smuggled drugs hidden in his anus into Indonesia narrowly avoided the death penalty.
Jeffrey Welton, 52, was arrested at the same Bali airport last September after he was found smuggling 8g of heroin and 0.34g of meth.
Manuela Vitoria de Araujo Farias could face the death penalty if convicted of drug smuggling
He was recently sentenced to eight months in a rehabilitation facility after a judge ruled he was an addict rather than a drug trafficker.
Farias' lawyer claims her client was tricked into cooperating after a gang who hired her told
Farias claims she only visited the island after hearing of temples on where they pray for the sick, Bali Times reported.
The teen's mother had recently suffered a stroke, and Farias says she was attempting to seek Buddhist prayers for a cure.
'They said that she could pray in the temples to ask for her mother's healing,' the lawyer said.
The publication added police in Brazil have refused to discuss the status of the investigation into the alleged criminals that gave Farias the drugs.
Thousands of Australians have flocked to Bali since the holiday island's international borders reopened in March 2022 for the first time in two years.
Around 1.23 million Australians visited Bali in 2019 before international borders shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Manuela Vitoria de Araujo Farias (middle) was arrested upon arrival in Bali last month after three kilograms of cocaine were allegedly found in her luggage
The death penalty exists for many crimes in Indonesia including drug smuggling, according to Australian government website Smart Traveller.
Drug possession and banned activities such as smoking in a public place and gambling also can result in jail time.
'Penalties for drug offences include heavy fines, long prison sentences and the death penalty. Police target tourist destinations,' the website states.
'You may face heavy fines or jail for possessing even small amounts of drugs, including marijuana.
Cannabis-based products such as cannabis oil, hemp, CBD, THC, hash and edibles are also banned in Indonesia, including for medicinal purposes.
'A medical prescription does not make it legal. If you take such products to Indonesia or purchase or use them in Indonesia, you can be arrested and face imprisonment, fines, deportation or the death penalty,' Smart Traveller warns.
'Police target illegal drug use and possession across Indonesia. Police often target popular places and venues in Bali and Jakarta.'
Travellers are also warned check with a doctor or the
