Australian could face death penalty in Bali over alleged cocaine package

An Australian man could face the death penalty after he was arrested in Bali over a package allegedly containing 1.7 kilograms of cocaine.

Businessman Lamar Ahchee, 43, was allegedly caught with the drugs after they arrived in a package from Thailand.

That amount of drugs would be punishable by the death penalty or decades in prison, if he was found guilty.

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Police today paraded Ahchee in front of the world's media and showed off the alleged haul - 1.7 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside chocolate wrappers. 

Police allege they identified two suspicious packages sent from Thailand and claim Ahchee asked his driver to pick them up.

But police were watching, and once Ahchee allegedly received the drugs, they arrested him.

Ahchee's online presence is significant.

He previously moved from Cairns to Sydney and then to Bali in 2017.

He previously posted that he was a general manager of the restaurant, Brick Lane Bali. 

He has also worked for tech groups in Jakarta. 

Bali police allege that Ahchee is part of an international drug ring.

Indonesia is renowned for its hardline towards drugs and drug smugglers. 

In 2015, Indonesia put to death two of the Bali Nine, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.

The group were accused of smuggling eight kilograms of heroin out of Indonesia.

After years in prison the remaining living members arrived home in Australia last year.

It's expected the Australian government will offer Ahchee support.

A court date is yet to be set.

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