Accused drug smuggler Michael Sacatides, who was arrested in Bali, reportedly carrying 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine, will not appear in court for some time if he is declared a suspect, the editor from The Bali Times said. The editor from The Bali Times told Neos Kosmos that Mr Sacatides is still being questioned by police and that Interpol is now involved.
The 43 year old Sydney man was travelling from Bangkok when he was arrested in Ngurah Rai airport on Friday October 1, a spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) told Neos Kosmos.
Bali police say the man is being investigated for importing/exporting a prohibited substance.
The DFAT spokesperson said Bali police can detain the man for up to 20 days while investigating the case and that any charges will be laid after the investigation period is over.
Mr Sacatides has hired Schapelle Corby’s defence lawyer Erwin Siregar, who has told the media that his client assured him the drugs found in his luggage were not his.
“He said to me, ‘Erwin, 1000 per cent this is not mine and I don’t know (about) these drugs,’ ” Mr Siregar told reporters after visiting his client in jail.
Interpol is currently trying to track down the Indian man in Bangkok who allegedly loaned Mr Sacatides the drug-laden suitcase, the editor from The Bali Times said.
If Mr Sacatides is declared a suspect, he will not appear in court for some time, while police continue their probe before handing their case over to the prosecutors’ office, he said.
Australian consular officers in Bali visited Mr Sacatides in custody on Friday October 1 and are providing him with consular assistance.
Consular officers in Canberra are also providing assistance to the man’s family in Australia.