Bali drug accused a 'sacrificial mule'

Antony de Malmanche (left), facing drug smuggling charges in Bali, gets a visit from his lawyer Craig Tuck. Photo / Supplied

Tauranga lawyer Craig Tuck says a man facing drug smuggling charges in Bali may have been used as a sacrificial mule by a sophisticated human trafficking cartel.

Mr Tuck, a human rights lawyer, recently returned from Bali after visiting his client, Antony de Malmanche, who is being held in custody.

This is a serious, highly sophisticated multi-national criminal organisation involving many players.

Craig Tuck

The 52-year-old Wanganui beneficiary was arrested at Bali's international airport on December 1 allegedly with 1.7kg of methamphetamine in his backpack. He could face the death penalty if convicted.

Mr Tuck, a specialist human rights lawyer, said de Malmanche travelled to Hong Kong to meet his internet girlfriend "Jessie" but after being told she was delayed, he travelled to China on a shopping trip with one of her associates, and then flew to Bali with a bag he bought as a gift for her in his backpack.

Indonesian police prosecutors had told him "Jessie" was arrested in Jakarta three days before de Malmanche with six to eight others but he had been unable to confirm whether that was correct and whether Jessie even existed, he said.

Mr Tuck said de Malmanche may have been used as a sacrificial mule by a sophisticated human trafficking cartel, who had exploited "an innocent abroad".

"This is a serious, highly sophisticated multi-national criminal organisation involving many players," he said

Mr Tuck said de Malmanche was a "very simple guy" on his first overseas trip believing he was going to be on the trip of a lifetime and meeting up with his soul mate. Police prosecutors confirmed their investigations continued in Australia, Africa, Hong Kong, China, America and Indonesia and have made many other arrests, he said.

"This is a case of potential global ramifications because of where it happened and the defence we will be running, and the international and domestic laws which come into play."

Mr Tuck said running the usual "blind mule" or "scared mule type" of defence was doomed to fail.

Tony is scared and confused, it was like witnessing a train wreck.

Craig Tuck

His client remained in a cell at Denpasar police station which is also occupied by 27 others with limited supplies of food, and amenities.

While food is given to inmates twice a day, it is very sparse, he said.

"Tony is scared and confused, it was like witnessing a train wreck.

"He is essentially in lock down 24 hours a day in a cell with a hole in the roof, and half a towel and bucket of water to shower with."

"Tony managed to obtain a small rubber mat but he isn't allowed a mattress or pillow and his cell is so crowded and noisy it's very difficult to sleep," he said

Mr Tuck said his client was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

He was receiving some pain medication but not enough.

As a youngster he spent time in a psychiatric institution and suffers from depression and had a head injury and back and neck injuries and was in constant pain.

Mr Tuck said he expected de Malmanche would be moved to Kerobokan Prison around February 4, and pre-trial hearings were likely to begin later next month or early March.

Some of de Malmanche's family would visit him next month.