A BRIT is facing the firing squad after being accused of pushing a kilo of drugs in “zero tolerance” Bali.
Thomas Parker was arrested in January after cops said they found him collecting a package containing 1.055kg of MDMA, a class A drug.
The 32-year-old showed up for the first time after being arrested on Thursday. If proven guilty, he could face the death penalty by firing squad, a severe punishment usually for serious offenders.
Parker was paraded in front of the press on Thursday in Denpasar, the capital of Bali, with a shaved head and wearing an orange jumpsuit and cuffs.
He appeared alongside others accused of drug offences.
Indonesia is known to have zero tolerance for drug offences and can use the death penalty for quantities over five grams.
Anything below that amount is punishable between five and 15 years behind bars.
Parker was apprehended near an Airbnb on January 21. His behavior raised suspicions as he received a package from a motorcycle taxi driver.
As officers moved in, the Brit allegedly panicked and fled, dumping the package as he ran.
Police traced him to the 7 Seas Villas in North Kuta, where he was arrested. He confessed that the package he received was indeed the one in question.
Police say forensic testing revealed the light-brown powder inside the package was MDMA.
Other evidence, presented in sealed plastic bags, included a mobile phone retrieved by police.
The accused drug dealer has been charged with importation, trafficking, and possession of drugs.
Under Indonesian law, if found guilty, he could face the death penalty as he is accused of numerous drug offences and the package contained over the five-gram limit.
Brigadier General Rudy said: “After conducting a search and arrest, Thomas and the evidence were taken to the Bali Province National Narcotics Agency office for investigation.”
The narcotics agency chief claimed that Parker is a member of an international drug dealer organisation based in Hungary.
He said: “He was ordered by his boss to pick up a package in Bali after flying from Thailand.
“The parcel contained MDMA which is illegal and punishable by death.”
But it is unlikely he will receive the ultimate punishment, as police seek Parker’s cooperation to hunt down the kingpin who sent the package in exchange for a lesser sentence.
Plus, there has been international pressure on Indonesia’s use of the death penalty which has seen the country become more lenient in recent months.
In December, the final five members of the Bali Nine – who were convicted of trying to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin out of Indonesia in April 2005 – were released from jail and flew back to Australia.
Parker will remain behind bars as the investigation continues.
Last month, a group of Brits accused of smuggling nearly £300,000 worth of cocaine into Bali were pictured smiling as they were paraded by cops despite also facing the death penalty.
