**Three Britons Face Potential Execution in Indonesia over Alleged Cocaine Smuggling Scheme Using Angel Delight Packs**
Three British nationals are currently facing the prospect of the death penalty in Indonesia after authorities accused them of attempting to smuggle nearly a kilogram of cocaine into the country, concealed within packets of Angel Delight dessert mix. The case, which has stunned many in the UK and abroad, highlights the ongoing risks posed by Indonesia’s uncompromising stance on drug offences.
The three suspects—Jonathan Christopher Collyer, 38, Lisa Ellen Stocker, 39, and Phineas Ambrose Float, 31—were apprehended following a thorough customs inspection at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport on 1 February. According to Indonesian prosecutors, both Collyer and Stocker were stopped at an X-ray checkpoint when customs officials noticed unusual items inside their luggage, which appeared to be everyday food products.
Upon closer examination and subsequent laboratory testing, it was revealed that Collyer’s baggage contained ten sachets of Angel Delight mix, while Stocker’s suitcase included seven similar packs. Prosecutors explained in court that these 17 sachets collectively held 993.56 grams of cocaine, a quantity with an estimated street value in Indonesia of roughly six billion rupiah, or £272,000.
The proceedings at the Denpasar District Court indicated that the investigation extended beyond the airport. During a controlled follow-up operation, Collyer and Stocker were allegedly observed handing over the drug-laden packets to Float in a hotel car park in Denpasar. Float, who is facing trial separately, was subsequently detained. Notably, as he was brought to court, Float issued verbal abuse towards assembled journalists, reflecting the high tensions and intense public attention surrounding the trial.
Indonesian authorities reported that the cocaine had been flown into Bali from England, via a transfer at Doha International Airport, Qatar. Officials believe this was not the first attempt; Deputy Director Ponco Indriyo of Bali Police’s Narcotics Unit stated that the group had successfully transported drugs into Indonesia on at least two prior occasions, but were intercepted during this third effort.
The death penalty remains a real threat for the trio, as Indonesia’s laws regarding narcotics offences are among the strictest in the world. More than 500 people, including 96 foreign nationals, currently await execution in Indonesia, most on drug-related charges. Convictions for trafficking or smuggling can result in either lengthy prison terms or capital punishment, often carried out by firing squad. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime has designated Indonesia as a focal point for international drug trafficking networks.
The case has drawn comparisons to that of Lindsay Sandiford, a British grandmother sentenced to death in 2013 for smuggling almost four kilograms of cocaine into Bali. Now aged 69, Sandiford remains on death row in Bali’s infamous Kerobokan prison, where Stocker is also reportedly being held following her arrest. Insiders suggest Stocker was initially held in isolation but is now slowly being introduced to the general prison population.
In court this week, the three accused individuals listened as the charges were formally read. The trial was subsequently adjourned, with testimony from witnesses scheduled to heard in the next hearing. It has come to light that Float has a history of criminal offences in the UK; records show that in 2012 he was jailed for drug possession and armed robbery, underlining the complicated backgrounds of those involved.
This latest case shines a harsh spotlight on the perils that foreigners can face when dealing with Indonesia’s legal system, especially relating to drugs. As the legal process unfolds, the fate of the three Britons hangs in the balance—a sobering reminder of the consequences associated with drug smuggling in jurisdictions with unforgiving anti-narcotics laws.
Further developments in this high-profile case are expected in the coming weeks, as testimony continues and the international community keeps a watchful eye on the proceedings. With executions rare but not unprecedented, the world will be paying close attention to whether the Indonesian courts will deliver the ultimate penalty.