Tauranga lawyer to represent Bali drug accused

Tauranga lawyer Craig Tuck. Photo/file

Tauranga lawyer Craig Tuck has been appointed to represent Bali drug accused Antony Glen de Malmanche.

De Malmanche, 52, was arrested at Bali's international airport earlier this month.

He had travelled to Hong Kong to meet his internet girlfriend, "Jessie", and then went on to Bali, allegedly with 1.7kg of methamphetamine in his backpack.

Methamphetamine is in the most serious drug class in Indonesia and anyone convicted of trafficking it faces the death penalty.

Mr Tuck said he had been contacted by de Malmanche's family and was now working with Indonesian lawyers ''to get the best possible legal representation available to him''.

It has been 18 days since de Malmanch's arrest.

De Malmanche's family believe he is the victim of a "sophisticated" internet dating scam.

"We believe Tony has been taken advantage of ... and used as a drug mule where 'they' have forced him to carry drugs into Bali," they told the New Zealand Herald.

Antony Glen de Malmanche
• 52-year-old beneficiary from Wanganui.
• Arrested December 1 at Denpasar's international airport after travelling from Hong Kong.
• Allegedly found with 1.7kg of methamphetamine in his backpack.
• Family claim he has been set up in a honey trap internet dating scam.
• Faces death by firing squad if convicted of drug trafficking.