An Australian national has successfully reduced his prison term in Indonesia after being convicted on serious drug trafficking charges. Lamar Aaron Ahchee, a 43-year-old man, saw his original 12-year sentence cut to nine years following a successful appeal heard by the Bali High Court.
Court Proceedings and Original Conviction
The Denpasar District Court initially found Ahchee guilty on December 18, 2025, for receiving two packages containing illicit substances. The packages were discovered to hold 54 individually-wrapped Lindt chocolates, each concealing 8.3 grams of cocaine. This substantial quantity led to his severe original sentencing, which also included a significant financial penalty.
Interestingly, the prosecution had originally sought a nine-year prison term, making the initial 12-year judgment notably harsher. The court's decision reflected Indonesia's stringent stance on narcotics offences, particularly those involving substances classified as highly dangerous.
Successful Appeal Process
John McLeod, a former police officer who now specialises in assisting Australians navigating foreign legal systems, confirmed the appeal's success on Thursday. "Lamar Aaron Ahchee's sentence has been now reduced from 12 years to only nine years," Mr McLeod stated.
The Bali High Court panel of judges delivered their verdict on Wednesday, accepting appeals from both the prosecution and the defendant. Their ruling explicitly changed the sentence originally imposed by the Denpasar District Court.
Ahchee's legal representative, Edward Pangkahila, had lodged the appeal on December 23, shortly after the initial sentencing. This move carried considerable risk, as Indonesian appeals can sometimes result in increased penalties, including potential death sentences for drug trafficking offences.
Defence Arguments and Mitigating Factors
Mr Pangkahila argued that his client was seeking a "fairer sentence" and maintained Ahchee's claim of ignorance regarding the packages' contents. "My client did not know the things he collected from the gojek driver was drugs," the lawyer asserted, instead attributing the smuggling operation to a British individual known only as 'Boss'.
During the trial proceedings, presiding judge Tjokorda Putra Budi Pastima outlined several factors influencing the sentencing decision. He emphasised that the defendant's actions contradicted government efforts to eradicate narcotics, noting cocaine's classification as a dangerous substance with highly addictive properties and damaging effects on the nervous system.
The judge also highlighted the substantial quantity of cocaine involved, suggesting it could harm numerous individuals and potentially damage Bali's tourism reputation and security. Furthermore, he observed that Ahchee had been "evasive" during proceedings, attempting to "obscure the facts by pretending not to know the contents of the package he received."
Remaining Penalties and Considerations
Despite the sentence reduction, Ahchee still faces substantial consequences. He must pay a fine of two billion Indonesian Rupiah, approximately equivalent to $169,000 AUD. Failure to meet this financial penalty will result in an additional six months of imprisonment.
The court did acknowledge certain mitigating factors in Ahchee's favour. The judge noted his polite conduct throughout the trial and his expression of remorse for collecting the suspicious package. Additionally, the defendant had no prior criminal convictions, which was considered in the sentencing deliberations.
This case highlights the complex interplay between Indonesia's strict anti-drug laws and the appeals process available to foreign nationals facing serious charges in the country's judicial system.
