Pubdate: Mon, 26 Sep 2005
Source: Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
Copyright: 2005 The Sydney Morning Herald
Contact:  http://www.smh.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/441
Author: AAP

AUSTRALIAN IN SUMATRA FACES 20-YEAR JAIL TERM

An Adelaide man accused of drug possession in Indonesia is facing 20 
years in jail police said today.

Former schoolteacher Graham Clifford Payne, 20, was arrested in the 
north Sumatra city of Medan in August.

Police allegedly found a pouch full of methamphetamines, known 
locally as shabu shabu, in his pocket.

A subsequent search of his home allegedly uncovered a heroin-filled 
syringe and more than 2000 tablets containing 11 different kinds of 
prescription drugs.

Detectives had originally planned to recommend only a 10-year jail term.

But the head of the drug squad in Medan, Captain Irwan Anwar, said 
evidence files to be handed to prosecutors tomorrow recommended joint 
psychotropic and narcotics charges carrying a total of 20 years in prison.

"It will be accumulated," he told AAP. "It's a maximum penalty of 20 years."

Payne has so far refused to tell police who allegedly supplied him 
with heroin and crystal meth.

He said at the time of his arrest that he had been "kind of happy" 
because he had run out of money for cigarettes and his guards had 
been giving him plenty.

Payne praised the professionalism of Indonesian police and said his 
jail food was "excellent".

"To all my friends and family I will see you in a year or two," Payne said.

Anwar said Payne's urine tests had proven positive for drug use, 
although blood tests had been negative.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman