No record exists of New Zealand citizenship for a man claiming to be a New Zealander arrested on drugs charges in Bali, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Richard David Semarr, 55, was arrested during an undercover operation last Wednesday in the resort area of Sanur, accused of selling marijuana to foreigners, Australia's ABC News reported.
Indonesian police said that a foreigner posing as a buyer approached Semarr. That led to his arrest.
Six sachets of marijuana weighing a total of 42.5g were seized, police said.
Semarr was being held at Denpasar police station without legal representation, ABC reported.
MFAT spokeswoman Helen Tunnah said the ministry could find no evidence to confirm Semarr's citizenship.
He had been offered consular assistance but had declined it, she said.
Ms Tunnah said she understood Semarr had been living overseas for some years.
MFAT would continue to monitor the situation but was not actively involved, she said.
- NZPA
'New Zealander' on drugs charges in Bali
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