NZer facing jail in Bali for drugs

Former Gisborne man Willie Rare has been arrested on drugs charges in Bali where he has been on holiday recently. Photo / Supplied

Former Gisborne man Willie Rare could tomorrow be sentenced to up to 12 years in a Bali jail after admitting to a charge of possessing cocaine.

The New Zealand-born Melbourne resident appeared in court last month to answer questions from a panel of three judges after being held for six months in Denpasar jail without charges.

Rare, who adopted the old family name Angus McCaskill after moving to Australia about 30 years ago, was charged last month with three offences after he was caught with five plastic pouches containing a total of 3.58 grams of cocaine at a supermarket in Bali's Kuta tourist area on June 30 last year.

He apologised to the court for his actions and admitted to having used cocaine on a previous occasion, Australian newspapers reported.

"I know (it's illegal) and I apologise for that. I used it in 1996...once, but I stopped using it," he told the court.

"But then, there I used it again."

He also admitted to buying a "bong" for smoking marijuana from the same people who sold him the cocaine.

According to a report in the Bali Times, he appeared in Denpasar District Court on Monday, where the prosecution had been due to submit its sentence request.

But the case was postponed until tomorrow when prosecutor Ida Ayu Ketut RetNasari Kusuma Dewi is expected to proceed with his sentence request. Cocaine possession carries a maximum 12 year sentence.

It is not known if Rare has a defence lawyer. The amount of cocaine involved was relatively minor and family members here say Rare has had no criminal or drug track record.

According to Bali media, the 57-year-old had been staying in Seminyak, an upmarket district north of Bali's Kuta Beach, for several months before his arrest.

It is understood he took holidays in Bali while based in Melbourne as a business consultant for many years.

Rare worked as a cellarhand for Montana Wines many years ago before leaving Gisborne for Australia.

- NZPA