A British man arrested in Bali for possession of cannabis oil says he faces up to 15 years in prison and is living a 'terrible nightmare'. Pip Holmes, 45, from Cornwall, was arrested on 3 December after a small amount of THC oil was sent to him from Thailand to help with his arthritis pain.
Holmes is one of five people arrested by Indonesian police on suspicion of drug smuggling in Denpasar. Indonesia has some of the world's strictest drug laws, with dozens of convicted smugglers on death row, including British citizens Gareth Cashmore and Lindsay Sandiford.
Holmes admitted possession, saying: 'I am guilty under Indonesian law of possession of narcotics, there's no denying that.' He spent six days in a police cell before being moved to a rehabilitation facility after his lawyers argued he was a user, not a trafficker. He now fears he could face five to 15 years in Kerobokan prison, described as 'one of the toughest prisons on earth'.
A fundraising page has been set up to raise $100,000 (£79,000) for his legal representation. A statement said: 'Pip made a very grave error of judgment and is extremely sorry.' The Foreign Office confirmed it is assisting Holmes and is in contact with his family and Indonesian authorities.
