New Zealand woman arrested at Bali airport for carrying crystal meth

A New Zealand woman, Myra Lynne Williams, has been arrested at Bali's Denpasar airport for reportedly carrying crystal methamphetamine, an official said on Friday, 2 September.

The 27-year-old Williams, was originally detained at the airport on Wednesday, 31 August. She could potentially face a sentence of 12 years in jail, National Narcotics agency head, Putu Gede Suastawa said.

Authorities initially became suspicious as she was shouting and a search showed that she was carrying 0.43gm (0.01 ounces) of Crystal Methamphetamine. The amount is less than the five grams threshold required by law to impose the death penalty.

Suastawa said that the woman admitted to taking crystal meth, also known as 'shabu' in Indonesia, ecstasy and marijuana at a party in Melbourne, before flying to Bali.

The narcotics agency said in a statement, "a tiny plastic bag, containing a "white crystal substance" fell out of her pocket when she was talking to a customs officer."

The foreign affairs ministry of New Zealand confirmed that a citizen was being held in detention in Bali. The embassy in Jakarta also said it was in contact with local officials and were giving consular assistance. The family members of Williams told Radio New Zealand that she went to Bali with a group of friends.

A friend of Williams said: "This was meant to be a good gathering with friends and family which turned from good to bad. I hope Myra is OK wherever they have her." She added that she was scared and did not know what to do.

For serious cases of drug trafficking, Indonesia imposes death penalty. Earlier this year, four convicted drug smugglers, including three Nigerians, were shot by a firing squad. In 2015, two Australians were out of the eight executed on drug charges.