A British carpenter named Baath Jarnail Singh, 53, has been arrested in Bali and is now facing the death penalty after Indonesian police discovered 3 pounds of cocaine in his hotel room. The arrest took place on February 14, with authorities stating that Singh is accused of smuggling the illegal drug into Indonesia in December 2025. Police found 1.41kg of cocaine, packed into five large packages, stashed in his suitcase in the wardrobe of his hotel room.

According to the police chief in Denpasar, Singh confessed that he arrived in Bali on December 20, 2025, and met with two individuals at the NAM Hotel on December 26, where he received a shopping bag containing cocaine and two weighing scales. The situation has raised significant concerns about drug trafficking in Indonesia, particularly given the country’s stringent anti-drug laws which impose severe penalties, including the death penalty, for drug trafficking offenses.

This case underscores the risks that foreign nationals face when involved in drug-related activities, especially in countries with harsh legal repercussions. The international attention on drug smuggling and Bali’s reputation as a tourist destination may amplify scrutiny on the enforcement of drug laws and their consequences, potentially impacting tourism and international relations.