Three foreign nationals from the United Kingdom—Jonathan Christopher Collyer (38), Lisa Ellen Stocker (39), and Phineas Ambrose Float (31) were sentenced to one year in prison by the Denpasar District Court in Bali on Thursday (July 24) in a drug possession case. (Daily Record/YouTube)
Three British citizens have been sentenced to one year in prison by the Denpasar District Court after being found guilty of attempting to smuggle cocaine into Bali. The verdict, read by Chief Judge Heriyanti on Thursday, 24 July, concluded the trial of Jonathan Christopher Collyer (38), Lisa Ellen Stocker (39), and Phineas Ambrose Float (31) in a narcotics possession case.
Cocaine Hidden in Food Packaging
According to law enforcement authorities, the case began when Stocker and Collyer arrived at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport on a flight from the United Kingdom via Doha, Qatar. Upon inspection by officers from Immigration, Customs, and the Bali Police Narcotics Directorate, they were found carrying multiple food packages labeled “Angel Delight,” which contained a white powder suspected to be cocaine.
Officers seized 10 blue plastic packages weighing a total of 637.12 grams gross from a grey suitcase belonging to Collyer. In Stocker’s grey Kangol-branded suitcase, seven similar packages were found, weighing a total of 443.10 grams gross. The packages were suspected to contain a Category I narcotic substance.
Investigations revealed that the two had intended to distribute the cocaine in Bali. Upon arrival, they were picked up by Float, who had flown to Bali ahead of them. All three individuals were later arrested and placed under custody pending trial.
Court Rejects Defense Arguments
In delivering the verdict, the court stated that there were no justifications or excuses that could absolve the defendants of their actions. The panel of judges emphasized that the actions of the defendants did not support the government’s ongoing efforts to combat narcotics-related crimes.
The court found all three individuals responsible and ordered them to serve prison sentences in accordance with the charges filed by the public prosecutor, which had requested a one-year sentence for each defendant.
“Declaring that the defendant Phineas Ambrose Float is legally and convincingly proven guilty of committing a criminal act jointly and deliberately and not reporting the existence of narcotics crimes,” said Heriyanto
“Sentencing the defendant Phineas Ambrose Float in the form of a sentence of one year in prison reduced while the defendant is detained,” added Heriyanti.
Mitigating and Aggravating Factors Considered
While the court acknowledged mitigating circumstances in Float’s case, such as his cooperative behavior during the trial, his admission of guilt, his expressed remorse, and his claim that he was unaware the packages contained narcotics, these were not enough to prevent a conviction. Float received the same sentence as Collyer and Stocker.
No specific mitigating factors were mentioned in the verdicts for Collyer and Stocker. The court considered the smuggling attempt and possession of narcotics as serious offenses that warranted the custodial sentences imposed.
“Declaring that the defendants, Jonathan Christopher Collyer and Lisa Ellen Stocker, are legally and convincingly proven guilty of committing criminal acts together deliberately and not reporting the existence of narcotics crimes as stipulated in Article 131 of the Indonesian narcotic law,” he said.
“Sentencing the defendants Jonathan Christopher Collyer and Lisa Ellen Stocker in the form of a sentence of one year in prison reduced while the defendant is in custody,” he continued.
Evidence Confiscated
In addition to the cocaine, authorities confiscated multiple items belonging to the defendants. These included mobile phones, personal luggage, travel documents, and other belongings associated with the alleged smuggling attempt. All confiscated items are currently held as evidence by the Bali Police Narcotics Directorate.
Sentencing Aligns with Prosecutors’ Demands The sentences handed down align with the demands of the public prosecutor, marking the conclusion of the legal proceedings in the case. As of now, there is no public information available regarding any plans for appeal from the defendants or their legal representatives.
