Brit facing 15 years in Indonesian jail over cannabis oil
Cornish artist Pip Holmes arrested after allegedly going to collect package containing 31kg of medicinal THC oil
A British man has admitted that he has been “very stupid” after being arrested in Indonesia for allegedly smuggling cannabis oil.
Pip Holmes, a 45-year-old artist from Cornwall, was one of five foreigners “paraded at a news conference in Denpasar, the capital of Bali province, last week”, Sky News reports.
The divorced father-of-two was arrested for drug smuggling on 3 December after going to collect a package containing almost 31kg of cannabis oil, according to Indonesian authorities.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Holmes insists he was caught with just 3g of medicinal THC oil that he had asked a friend to send him from Thailand, to help treat his arthritis.
As the BBC notes, Indonesia has very strict anti-drugs laws and has repeatedly arrested foreigners on drug-related charges, which can carry the death penalty.
Holmes arrived in Bali in October to spend a couple of months painting and surfing. He says that he was aware of the drug penalties and that his actions were “foolish and dumb”.
His family fear he could face a jail sentence of up to 15 years, but are hoping that he can “instead serve a short spell in a rehabilitation centre before being deported to the UK”, reports The Daily Telegraph. They have launched a crowdfunding page to raise $100,000 (£80,000) to pay for his legal fees.
In a message posted on the crowdfunding page, Holmes said that he had spent almost a week in a police cell before being moved to a rehab centre after failing a drug test.
He writes: “Each morning I have woken up in a terrible nightmare. I still can’t believe that I’m here and I feel sick with fear.
“As it stands, I don’t know if I’m about to spend a few months in a rehabilitation or if I’m about to face five to 15 years in Kerobokan - one of the toughest prisons on Earth.”
The message continues: “It all went terribly wrong when I was arrested for possession of a tiny amount of THC oil. Stupid much? Yes very very stupid. Right now I feel helpless and very alone.
“This is Asia, it’s not like the West. I am guilty under Indonesian law of possession of narcotics, there’s no denying that. Even though medicinal THC is something so widely accepted elsewhere and it was such a small amount, I foolishly crossed the line in a very strict country.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published