Prosecutors in Bali have recommended remarkably light prison sentences for three British nationals accused of smuggling cocaine into the island earlier this year, marking a sharp turn in a case that initially drew attention for both its serious charges and the suspects’ bizarre behavior during arrest.
From Cocaine Bust to Court Leniency
Jonathan Christopher Collyer (38) and Lisa Ellen Stocker (39) were arrested on 1 February 2025 after arriving at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport with 17 packets of cocaine, weighing nearly a kilogram in total. Days later, authorities apprehended Phineas Ambrose Float (31), who was allegedly set to receive the drugs in Bali.
The trio drew headlines not just for the smuggling attempt, but for their casual attitude during their police presentation in Denpasar, where they chatted, smiled, and Collyer sang part of Lil Pump’s Gucci Gang while in handcuffs.
Prosecutors Seek One-Year Sentences
At the Denpasar District Court on Tuesday, prosecutor Made Dipa Umbara asked the judges to sentence all three to one year in prison and to continue holding them in detention.
He cited their cooperative attitude, acknowledgment of guilt, and stated intention not to reoffend as grounds for leniency.
“[We are] demanding the court to sentence the defendants to one year in prison and to keep them in detention,” Made said in court.
Unusual Move in a Country Known for Harsh Drug Laws
Indonesia is known for its unforgiving stance on narcotics, with foreign nationals previously sentenced to death or life in prison for trafficking. The sudden call for a one-year sentence is seen as a major reprieve—especially given the quantity of cocaine involved.
However, recent moves by President Prabowo Subianto’s administration suggest a shifting approach. In recent months, Jakarta has repatriated several foreign drug convicts on humanitarian grounds or through bilateral agreements, including Frenchman Serge Atlaoui, Filipina Mary Jane Veloso, and the remaining imprisoned members of the Bali Nine.
Although the death penalty remains on the books for drug crimes, Indonesia has upheld a de facto moratorium since 2017. Before Veloso’s release, 96 foreigners were still on death row for drug-related offenses, according to the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections.
