Myra Williams has reportedly been arrested at the airport in Bali. Photo / via Facebook
Myra Williams has reportedly been arrested at the airport in Bali. Photo / via Facebook
The New Zealand woman who was arrested in Bali after allegedly bringing meth into the country yelled for hours and was inconsolable, said an onlooker.
Indonesian media have named her as Myra Williams from Taupo.
Williams reportedly flew to Denpasar from Melbourne and was questioned by Indonesian authorities over allegations she brought the drug into the country with her. Officials found 0.82g of methamphetamine.
Auckland woman Holly Potton was waiting for her bags at Ngurah Rai International Airport for over an hour when Williams was detained on August 31. She said Williams was extremely upset and uncooperative. At one stage she had 22 Indonesian officials surrounding her.
Two people from Potton's flight tried to get involved, she said. One yelled at Williams to shut up and another woman tried to talk to her and the officials but was told to go away. Potton said another passenger recorded Williams on his cellphone but a customs officer made him delete it.
Potton thinks the Indonesian officials were waiting for her flight to get their bags and leave before dealing with her "because it was causing such a scene".
A Bali airport policeman told NZME Williams had appeared confused while lining up for her passport. He said she took a rest on the sofa for around 30 minutes.
The policeman said they'd found 0.82g of methamphetamine on the sofa next to her where she was taking a rest.
He confirmed immigrations, customs and the narcotic department had all spoken with the woman.
The policeman believed Williams had been detained by the Denpasar narcotic department.
The Taupo woman reportedly flew to Denpasar from Melbourne and is being questioned by Indonesian authorities. Photo / 123RF
Senior barrister Craig Tuck said the Indonesian authorities dramatise drug offenses to help them fight the war on drugs. He said being caught with methamphetamine carries the death penalty and there have been executions this year.
"They take every opportunity when they catch a foreigner to put them in an orange jumpsuit, put balaclavas on and machine guns and tell the local media and the international media just how it rolls.
"They consider foreigners bringing drugs into the country is colonising the country, it certainly has a lot of detrimental effects on the community and they're responding with pretty brutal tactics including firing squads for some."
Williams, who lives just south of Melbourne, posted on her Facebook that she was "so damn excited" to be going to Bali.
Indonesian news outlet RadarBali.com reported a 27-year-old woman, born in Hamilton, had landed at Denpasar, from Melbourne, on Air Asia flight 801.
MFAT says the New Zealand Embassy, Jakarta, is in contact with the local authorities and providing consular assistance.
It confirmed a New Zealander had been arrested - but was unable to confirm their identity.
The Ministry is providing family with updates and consular advice.
A spokesman says it cannot comment on or interfere in the judicial proceedings of another country, as is the case with all arrests and detentions involving New Zealand citizens overseas.
