TUBAN

Bali customs officials arrested a woman who worked at the French embassy in Bangkok after she arrived at Ngurah Rai International Airport carrying cocaine.

Keita Ep Toureh, 52, had arrived in Bali on an AirAsia flight from Bangkok when she was detained. Customs officers using an ion scan on arriving passengers picked up traces of cocaine on Toureh’s person, and took her aside for a full search.

“After we checked her in a private customs suite we found four small plastic packages wrapped in tissue inside her mouth,” said head of customs I Made Wijaya.  The drugs totalled 3.17 grams.

Because Toureh was a member of embassy staff rather than a diplomat, she had no diplomatic immunity.  She was arrested at 11.30pm and handed over to Bali Police for processing.

If found guilty of violating Article 113 of 2009’s Law 35 on narcotics, she faces a maximum penalty of death, and a fine of up to Rp10 billion (US$1.175 million).