DENPASAR — A 59-year-old Australian man identified by the initials MS has been deported from Bali after serving an 18-year prison sentence for a drug offence.

MS was deported to Sydney, Australia, on Friday night (September 4, 2026), after completing his prison sentence and a subsequent period of supervision under Indonesia’s parole system.

The Denpasar Immigration Detention Centre (Rudenim Denpasar) deported MS as an Immigration Administrative Action under Article 75 paragraph (1) of Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration.

MS was previously convicted under Article 113 paragraph (2) of Law No. 35 of 2009 on Narcotics.

The case dates back to October 1, 2010, when MS was arrested by Customs officers at the international arrivals terminal of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali.

He had arrived on AirAsia flight FD 3677 from Bangkok, Thailand.

During an inspection of his luggage, officers found approximately 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed inside a cavity in the wall of a suitcase.

During the trial, MS, who said he worked as a Thai boxing trainer and ran a business in Thailand, denied knowing that the drugs were inside the suitcase. He claimed the suitcase belonged to an acquaintance he had met in Bangkok.

The Denpasar District Court, however, found him guilty and sentenced him to 18 years in prison.

Deportation Process

After being released on parole, MS was placed under the supervision of the Denpasar Class I Correctional Centre (Bapas Kelas I Denpasar). His supervision period ended on August 19, 2026.

He was then handed over to the Singaraja Class II Immigration Office for further immigration processing.

His deportation could not be carried out immediately as several administrative procedures still had to be completed. His passport had also expired.

MS was transferred to Rudenim Denpasar on August 24, 2026, where he was temporarily detained while arrangements for his deportation were finalised.

Rudenim Denpasar head Teguh Mentalyadi said the centre coordinated with the Consulate-General of Australia to arrange the necessary travel documents and deportation procedures.

After 11 days in detention, MS’s travel documents, flight ticket and other administrative arrangements had been finalised.

He was deported to Sydney on Friday night, escorted by Rudenim Denpasar officers.

Teguh said the case demonstrated that foreign nationals convicted of criminal offences in Indonesia could face immigration measures after completing their sentences.

“Indonesia takes a firm stance against foreign nationals involved in criminal offences, particularly narcotics offences,” Teguh said.

He added that MS could face a lifetime ban from re-entering Indonesia under Article 102 of Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration.

The decision on the ban will be made by the Directorate General of Immigration.