Kiwi jailed 11 years in Borneo after being found with methamphetamine

Gregory John Harland-White, 53, was found with nearly 30 grams of crystal meth, known locally as sabu-sabu, the <i>Jakarta Post</i> reported. Photo / 123rf

A New Zealand man has been sentenced to 11 years in jail in Indonesia after being caught with methamphetamine in Borneo.

Gregory John Harland-White, 53, was found with nearly 30 grams of crystal meth, known locally as sabu-sabu, the Jakarta Post reported.

The Kiwi citizen had strapped the drugs to his leg with duct tape.

He was sentenced in the Balikpapan District Court of East Kalimantan earlier this month to 11 years in jail and fined about $86,000.

Harland-White's lawyer Yohannes Marokko said they had not decided whether to appeal the verdict.

Presiding Judge Purnomo Amin Cahyo said the defendant was proved to have controlled and provided methamphetamine. Harland-White pleaded guilty to all charges.

"The indictment points were met. He was proved as having controlled and stored 29.7 grams of crystal meth," Purnomo said.

Police arrested Harland-White in October 2016 at the Palm Hills housing complex, South Balikpapan, and confiscated 29.7 grams of crystal meth, a digital scale as well as a car, the Jakarta Post reported.

He brought the methamphetamine from Malaysia via sea into Batam and carried it to Balikpapan by plane.

"Before he was arrested, [Harland-White] successfully passed the examination at the airport by tying the drugs to his leg with black duct tape.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman told Fairfax it was aware of Harland-White's detention.

"Consular assistance is being provided to him by the New Zealand Embassy in Jakarta."