Dutchman faces 12 years in Bali prison over under 1 gram of hash

A 46-year-old Dutch man was arrested on the Indonesian island of Bali for the possession of 0.83 grams of hashish. Drug possession on the island carries a maximum prison sentence of 12 years, according to newspaper AD.

A police spokesperson told local newspaper Jakarta Post that they've been keeping an eye on the Dutch man for days. "We received information that there was a Dutch national who had often used Hashish. Based on that information, we opened an investigation", the spokesperson said. The man told the police that he received the hash for free from an acquaintance and that this was his first time using.

In the Netherlands 0.83 grams of hash would cost between 8 and 10 euros, according to AD. In Indonesia the possession of the smallest amount of drugs is considered a punishable offense. If the Dutch man is found guilty, he can face up to 12 years in prison.