The Indonesian Customs and Excise Department working in cooperation with the National Anti-Narcotics Agency (BNNP), has caught and arrested a 45-year-old Australian national, David John Clarkson, on criminal narcotics charges.
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As reported by Beritabali.com, Clarkson is held in connection with the receipt via parcel post from an acquaintance in Peru containing 990.84 grams of DMT (DMT). DMT is a plant-based entheogen that can produce brief periods of non-ordinary consciousness, often employed in religious and spiritual rituals and is classified as a “Class One” narcotic in Indonesia when discovered in commercial quantities can carrying severe penalties.
The nearly one-kilogram package from Peru raised suspicions of Custom Officials when it arrived in the post office at Bali’s airport, precipitating a call for assistance to the BNNP to launch a full-fledged investigation.
Himawan Indarjono of the Customs Office confirmed on Tuesday, 16 February 2021, a sting operation was established to catch the recipient of the package resulting in the Australian’s arrest, who is now in the hands of the BNNP.
Before Clarkson’s arrest, a joint Customs and BNNP Team performed a “controlled delivery” on Friday, 22 January 2021. Under police surveillance, Clarkson received the illicit package on the morning of 22 January 2021. A while later, at 10:30 am, Clarkson was arrested in Villa Sunshine Bali’s parking lot on Jalan Bumbak Dauh Gang Kamboja No. 1, North Kuta.
Putu Agus Arya of BNNP-Bali confirmed that Clarkson and the packet were now in officials’ hands, with the Australian now classified as a suspect in an unfolding criminal investigation.