Aussie on Bali drug charges

AN AUSTRALIAN accountant and former Liberal Democrat candidate has been arrested arriving in Bali, allegedly with 19.97 grams of methamphetamine in his luggage, and now faces drugs charges which carry a maximum 20 years in jail or the death penalty.

Isaac Emmanuel Roberts, who was born in Toowoomba in Queensland, stood as a Liberal Democrat candidate in the blue ribbon seat of Higgins in Melbourne, vacated by former treasurer Peter Costello, when he retired in late 2009. Mr Roberts polled eighth out of the 10 candidates.

Mr Roberts was brought into a media conference yesterday wearing a black balaclava over his head and bright orange prisoner shorts and shirt.

He and two others sat on chairs behind officials, guarded by two officers also wearing balaclavas and carrying rifles and he was made to stand as officials displayed the drugs allegedly found in his luggage.

Mr Roberts, 35, was arrested after a search of his luggage when he landed at Bali’s international airport on De- cember 4 this year but details of his arrest were kept secret until today when officials announced the bust.

Mr Roberts was angered at being paraded for the media, telling local reporters it was ridiculous and suggesting that he had been working with Customs and invited to Bali and that Customs knew he was bringing something with him.

“Parading small-time users in front of media for tiny amounts when there are kilos coming through this airport. It’s ridiculous,” Mr Roberts told the media, suggesting he had been set up.

“I was invited to this country. I was working with a Customs officer and they knew I was going to bring something,” he said as he was bundled away.

“They want to waste their resources on addicts, they want to punish addicts.”

Mr Roberts was paraded before the media with an American and Malaysian man, arrested on unrelated matters. As they sat down, the American man says: “Where are our lawyers? Can you believe this? I can’t believe it.”

Police said Mr Roberts had allegedly admitted to being a drug user but not a dealer, so may not face available charges which carry the death penalty.