Australian Father Completes Rehab in Bali After Meth Bust
An Australian father, Troy Andrew Smith, was caught with methamphetamine in Bali while on his honeymoon with his new wife. Smith, a 49-year-old accountant originally from Port Lincoln in South Australia, was staying at the Champlung Mas Hotel resort in Legian when local police raided their room on April 30. Authorities discovered 3.19g of methamphetamine hidden inside a Colgate toothpaste container.
Successful Completion of Court-Ordered Rehab
After spending two months in custody, Smith appeared in Denpasar District Court in July. His legal team argued that Smith was a drug addict, leading to a six-month rehabilitation sentence at Anargya Sober House in Bali. Smith has since completed his rehab and left Indonesia, expressing deep regret for his actions and offering apologies to both the Indonesian and Australian communities, as well as his family, friends, and partner. He thanked the rehabilitation center staff, the Indonesian government, and the legal system for their support and understanding.
Smith’s wife, Tracy Ijusa, was not implicated in any wrongdoing during the incident. Although trafficking charges that carry a potential life imprisonment were initially filed against Smith, they were dropped in June. He faced a 12-year prison sentence for possession but avoided it by proving he was an addict, resulting in the waiver of a $741,690 fine. Smith admitted to ordering the drugs from Australia for personal use and expressed remorse during the trial.
Reflection and Gratitude Post-Rehab
Smith, who had been using methamphetamine regularly since 2020 to cope with anxiety and depression, was sentenced to six months of medical and social rehabilitation. The presiding judge commended Smith for his politeness, remorse, and lack of prior criminal history. Prosecutors initially sought an eight-month rehab, but the reduced sentence was accepted without appeal by both the defense and prosecution.
Smith, visibly relieved after the trial, expressed gratitude to his lawyer, family, and wife for their support. While it remains uncertain whether he will return to live in South Australia, Smith’s journey through the legal system in Indonesia serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of drug abuse and the importance of seeking help and rehabilitation when needed.
