British Duo Receive Lengthy Prison Terms for Bali Cocaine Smuggling
Two British men have been sentenced to a combined total of 20 years in prison after being convicted of smuggling cocaine into the Indonesian island of Bali. The sentences were handed down on Thursday, with both individuals narrowly avoiding the death penalty that Indonesia reserves for serious drug offences.
Sentencing Details and Financial Penalties
Kial Garth Robinson, a 29-year-old landscape gardener from Chichester, received an 11-year prison sentence. His co-defendant, Piran Ezra Wilkinson, aged 48, was sentenced to nine years behind bars. In addition to their prison terms, both men have been ordered to pay fines of approximately £45,000 each. Failure to pay these substantial fines will result in an additional 190 days of imprisonment being added to their sentences.
Arrest and Prosecution Details
Robinson was arrested on 3 September at Bali International Airport after customs officials discovered 1,321 grams of cocaine concealed within his luggage. Prosecutors charged him with multiple violations of Indonesia's stringent drug laws, including trafficking, importation, and possession of illegal substances.
According to court documents, both defendants told authorities they had been recruited into the smuggling operation by an individual known only as Santos. This mysterious figure allegedly instructed Robinson to transport the drugs from Barcelona to Bali. The two British men had reportedly met just one week prior to their arrest, suggesting a hastily arranged criminal enterprise.
Legal Representation and Defendant Responses
Robert Khuana, Robinson's defence lawyer, stated that his client accepted the court's verdict on Thursday. Khuana maintained that Robinson had become "trapped in a syndicate scenario" beyond his control. Wilkinson's legal representative similarly indicated his client's acceptance of the sentence, describing the experience as "a lesson for him going forward."
In a previous court appearance last December, Robinson was photographed being escorted into Denpasar District Court wearing orange prison overalls. Video footage showed him making distinctive hand gestures including a thumbs-up and peace sign to observers. According to the Daily Mail, Robinson encouraged onlookers to "Give them a smile" and "Give them a thumbs up" during this appearance.
Prosecution Evidence and Financial Arrangements
Prosecutors presented evidence showing that Robinson had received an additional $3,000 (approximately £2,250) on 1 September 2025 to cover flight expenses from Barcelona to Bali, with a planned subsequent journey from Bali to Thailand scheduled for one week later. The prosecution emphasised that this marked Robinson's first involvement in narcotics trafficking, noting he had never previously transported drugs into Indonesia or any other country.
Court documents further revealed that financial provisions had been made for accommodation at Anginsepoi Villa, along with budgets for clothing, food, beverages, and other essential items during the planned stay in Bali.
Indonesia's Strict Drug Laws and Capital Punishment
Drug trafficking represents one of the most serious criminal offences under Indonesian law, with the death penalty representing the most severe possible punishment for those convicted. Bali traditionally employs firing squads for capital punishment cases involving drug trafficking, though the island has not carried out any executions since 2016, when four individuals were executed for similar offences.
The substantial prison sentences handed to Robinson and Wilkinson reflect Indonesia's continued zero-tolerance approach to drug-related crimes, particularly those involving international trafficking networks. The case serves as a stark warning about the severe consequences facing foreign nationals who attempt to smuggle narcotics into the country.
