Troy Smith: Aussie dad allegedly caught with meth in Bali fronts court for the first time as he faces up to 12 years in prison

An Australian father who was allegedly caught with meth for the first time in Bali faced a 12-year prison sentence if found guilty.

Troy Smith, from Port Lincoln in South Australia, was allegedly caught with 3.19 grams of methamphetamine in a Colgate toothpaste container at the Champlung Mas Hotel in Legian, Bali, on April 30.

Police are said to have found another 0.4 grams of the drug bought in Bali, along with a hookah and a lighter.

Smith, 49, was initially charged with drug trafficking, which carries a possible life sentence, but the charge was changed to drug possession and use earlier this month.

He was originally languishing in a shared prison cell with a dozen other inmates, but was released to a rehabilitation center last month after Bali’s National Narcotic Agency concluded he was “using drugs for himself” and was not part of a criminal enterprise.

Troy Smith, from Port Lincoln in South Australia, was allegedly caught with 3.19 grams of methamphetamine in a Colgate toothpaste container at the Champlung Mas Hotel in Legian, Bali on April 30 (Photo: Fronting Court on Thursday)

Mr Smith, 49, nervously played with his wedding ring as he sat on a wooden bench awaiting his fate (pictured)

Mr Smith looked ashen as he was taken from a police van in handcuffs on Thursday.

The father of two, wearing white dungarees, brown chinos and a red prison vest, did not answer questions from waiting journalists and hid his face in the corner of a cell.

He was then led past the media storm to the court, where he nervously played with his wedding ring as he sat on a wooden bench awaiting his fate.

Mr Smith was charged with two alternative articles of Indonesia’s drug law, one relating to drug possession and one relating to drug use.

The former carries a maximum prison sentence of 12 years, the latter a maximum of four years, with the possibility of being sent to a rehabilitation center if it can be proven that he is an addict.

The prosecutor said Mr. Smith possessed, stored, controlled or delivered narcotics, including 3.15 grams of crystal methamphetamine, without authorities’ consent.

“The methamphetamine was sent by a friend from Australia, while the other meth was bought on the street around Jalan Melasti Legian Kuta, Badung, from someone who was selling it,” the prosecutor told the court.

Mr Smith did not object to the charge after it was read to the court.

His trial is expected to continue next week and he has been transferred to the rehabilitation center.

Mr Smith’s case was handled by ‘fixer’ John McLeod, who worked to help free Schapelle Corby from prison.

Mr McLeod revealed on Thursday that Mr Smith was ‘committed to scrupulously following all legal protocols’.

“Our legal team has prepared thoroughly and we trust the integrity of the Indonesian legal system,” Mr McLeod added

“Troy is making significant progress in his recovery in the rehabilitation clinic. His determination to overcome his addictions is clear, and he benefits from daily professional support.

“With renewed enthusiasm for life, Troy is committed to overcoming his challenges.”

Mr Smith had been on holiday with his wife Tracey when he was arrested by police (the apir are pictured together in happier times)

Mr. Smith’s lawyer, Sienny Karmana, previously said The advertiser his charges were reduced after Bali’s National Narcotic Agency concluded he was using drugs for himself.

“The drug assessment team found him to be a drug user,” Ms Karmana said.

“He’s been addicted to drugs for years.”

The narcotics bureau, which determines whether people arrested for drug charges in Indonesia are users, addicts or dealers, also concluded that Mr. Smith was not part of a narcotics syndicate.

Ms Karmana said her client needed rehab more than prison.

‘We as lawyers only hope that the judge can sentence him to rehabilitation because he is addicted.

“What he needs now is rehabilitation, not prison.”

Mr Smith had been on holiday with his wife Tracey when he was arrested by police.

The couple, who met on Tinder, got married in December in her hometown of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.

Mr. Smith has struggled with alcoholism in his life, which led to his children cutting off contact with him and his marriage to the breakdown.

Before his arrest, he enjoyed a world-traveling life as a newlywed after tying the knot with his wife.

The father of two, wearing a white dungaree, brown chinos and a red prison vest, did not answer questions from waiting journalists and hid his face in the corner of a cell

“I’ve had an interesting last 12 years,” Smith said in a video.

‘Chronic alcoholic, hit rock bottom. You couldn’t have drank more than me.

‘I saw no way out and honestly I probably should have died. Children don’t talk to me anymore.

‘But then in the most bizarre circumstances during a Tinder meeting I met this girl in Nairobi and I’ve been in Bali ever since.

‘Now I love life. This girl gives me the motivation to do anything. She is my life now.”