Troy Smith: Aussie dad allegedly caught with meth in Bali fronts court for the first time as he faces up to 12 years in prison
- Troy Smith, 49, charged with drug possession in Bali
- Father-of-two allegedly caught with over 3g of meth
- Fronted court on Thursday in handcuffs and red singlet
- READ MORE: Australian dad allegedly caught with meth in Bali makes sad admission - as it is revealed he will be reunited with new wife
An Australian dad allegedly caught with meth in Bali fronted court for the first time as he faces a possible 12-year sentence if found guilty.
Troy Smith, from Port Lincoln in South Australia, was allegedly caught with 3.19g of methamphetamine inside a Colgate toothpaste container at Champlung Mas Hotel in Legian, Bali, on April 30.
Police allegedly found a further 0.4g of the drug that had been bought in Bali, along with a bong and a lighter.
Mr Smith, 49, was initially charged with drug trafficking, which carries a possible life sentence, but those charges were changed to drug possession and use earlier this month.
He had originally been languishing in a shared prison cell with a dozen other inmates but was released to a rehabilitation facility last month after Bali's National Narcotic Agency concluded he 'was using drugs for himself' and not part of a criminal enterprise.
Troy Smith, from Port Lincoln in South Australia, was allegedly caught with 3.19g of methamphetamine inside a Colgate toothpaste container at Champlung Mas Hotel in Legian, Bali, on April 30 (pictured fronting court on Thursday)
Mr Smith, 49, nervously played with his wedding ring as he sat on a wooden bench awaiting his fate (pictured)
Mr Smith appeared ashen-faced as he was brought out the back of a police van in handcuffs on Thursday.
The father-of-two, who was wearing a white shirt, tan chinos and a prison-issue red gilet, did not answer questions from waiting journalists and hid his face in the corner of a holding cell.
He was then ushered past the media scrum into the court where he nervously played with his wedding ring as he sat on a wooden bench awaiting his fate.
Mr Smith was charged with two alternative articles of Indonesian Drugs Law, one relating to drugs possession and the other drug use.
The former carries a maximum prison sentence of 12 years, while the latter carries a maximum of four years, with the possibility of being sent to a rehabilitation facility if it can be proven he is an addict.
The prosecutor said Mr Smith had possessed, kept, controlled or supplied narcotics, including 3.15 grams of crystal methamphetamine without permission from authorities.
'The methamphetamine was sent by a friend from Australia, while the other meth was bought on the street around Jalan Melasti Legian Kuta, Badung, from someone selling it,' the prosecutor told the court.
Mr Smith did not lodge an objection to the indictment after it was read to the court.
His trial is expected to continue next week and he has been remanded to the rehabilitation centre.
Mr Smith's case was taken up by 'fixer' John McLeod who worked to help free Schapelle Corby from jail.
Mr McLeod revealed on Thursday that Mr Smith was 'committed to following all legal protocols diligently'.
'Our legal team has prepared thoroughly, and we trust in the integrity of the Indonesian judicial system,' Mr McLeod added
'Troy is making significant strides in his recovery at the rehabilitation clinic. His determination to overcome his addictions is evident, and he is benefiting from daily professional support.
'With newfound enthusiasm for life, Troy is committed to conquering his challenges.'
Mr Smith had been on holiday with his wife Tracey when he was arrested by police (the pair are pictured together in happier times)
Mr Smith's lawyer Sienny Karmana Previously told The Advertiser his charges were reduced after Bali's National Narcotic Agency concluded he was using drugs for himself.
'The drugs assessment team found him as a drug user,' Ms Karmana said.
'He has been addicted to drugs for years.'
The narcotics agency, which determines whether people arrested on drug charges in Indonesia are users, addicts or dealers, also concluded that Mr Smith was not part of any narcotic syndicate.
Ms Karmana said her client needed rehab more than he needed jail.
'We, as lawyers, only hope that the judge could sentence him to rehabilitation as he has suffered addiction.
'What he needs now is rehabilitation, not jail.'
Mr Smith had been on holiday with his wife Tracey when he was arrested by police.
The pair, who met on Tinder, had married in her hometown of Nairobi, Kenya's capital, in December.
Mr Smith has struggled with alcoholism in his life, which resulted in his children cutting off contact with him and his marriage breaking down.
Before his arrest he was enjoying a globetrotting life as a newlywed, having tied the knot with his wife.
The father-of-two, who was wearing a white shirt, tan chinos and a prison-issue red gilet did not answer questions from waiting journalists and hid his face in the corner of a holding cell
'I've had an interesting last twelve years,' Mr Smith said in a video.
'Chronic alcoholic, absolutely hit rock bottom. You couldn't have drunk any more than me.
'I didn't see any way out and I probably should be dead to be honest. Kids don't speak to me anymore.
'But then in the most bizarre of circumstances, in a Tinder meeting I met this girl in Nairobi and I've since been to Bali.
'Now I'm loving life. This girl gives me motivation to do everything. She's my life now.'
