Teenager faces death by firing squad after she was caught with cocaine in her luggage
BALI, INDONESIA: A young woman is facing a terrifying fate after being accused of drug smuggling in Bali. Manuela Vitoria de Araujo Farias, who is originally from Brazil, was arrested in the Indonesian province earlier this year after three kilograms of cocaine were reportedly discovered in her possession.
As per reports, the 19-year-old was then pressed with international drug trafficking charges. Since then, she has been in police custody, and prosecutors want her to face execution by firing squad or life imprisonment if she’s convicted of the alleged crime. She has also been accused of being involved with a drug gang.
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‘They said that she could pray in the temples’
But Farias and her lawyer have denied the allegations. The Daily Mail reported that the suspect flew to Bali via Qatar and the apparent drugs she was carrying did not get detected at the other airports before she reached her destination. The teenager’s attorney Davi Lira da Silva has said that she was duped. The lawyer also noted that she came to Bali to go to the temples and pray for her sick mother, who had a stroke.
Referring to the gang that cheated Farias, Silva added, “They said that she could pray in the temples to ask for her mother’s healing.” However, it has been reported that even if Farias were to evade death by firing squad, she would have to go behind bars for life.
‘Make sure your medication is legal in Indonesia’
This comes as reports said that thousands of Australians went to Bali lately after Covid-19 restrictions were taken down. But the government of Australia shared several guidelines for its citizens via its website Smart Traveller so that people don’t get involved in any illegal activity.
The site says, “Some medications, including drugs for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), medicinal cannabis, cannabis-based oils and creams, hemp-based products, CBD, THC, hash and edibles, are illegal in Indonesia. Harsh penalties, such as arrest and jail time, can apply even if you have a prescription. Make sure your medication is legal in Indonesia.”
‘Carry a copy of your prescription’
It notes, “Penalties for drug offenses include heavy fines, long prison sentences, and the death penalty. Police target tourist destinations. Some medications are illegal in Indonesia. Harsh penalties can apply even if you have a prescription.
“If you plan to bring over-the-counter or prescription medication, check if it's legal in Indonesia by contacting the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra well in advance of your planned travel. Take enough legal medicine for your trip and carry it in its original packaging. Carry a copy of your prescription and a letter from your doctor stating: what the medicine is your required dosage that it's for personal use.”
“If you're caught with illegal medicine, you could face detention, fines or harsher penalties. You could face charges even if an Australian doctor prescribed the medication. Ask the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra for advice,” the site adds.