Japanese Teenager to Face Marijuana Charges in Bali

Made Arya Kencana

Denpasar. A 16-year-old Japanese student will stand trial on marijuana possession charges in two weeks’ time after police reportedly found 2.61 grams of weed in his pocket, prosecutors said on Wednesday.

“The dossier of the suspect has been accepted and the trial will starts soon,” said Romulus Haholongan, special crimes division head of the Denpasar Prosecutor’s Office.

The teenager — a student at the Taman Rama Gandhi International School — was arrested outside a gas station on Jalan Teukur Umar Barat in Denpasar on Aug. 8 after officers searched his pockets and allegedly discovered the marijuana.

He reportedly told police he bought the drugs from a man named Putu for Rp 300,000 ($31). Police are investigating the allegation.

The 16 year old faces a maximum of 12 years in prison if convicted.