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Indonesian Cops Lock Up Another Australian Drug Suspect

Author: Jonty Skrufff
Saturday, November 13, 2004
Richard Jonathon Wardill, from Darwin, Australia, was languishing in police cells in Buatan, in southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, this week, after being busted allegedly buying four ecstasy pills from two women in the street.

The 27 year old, reportedly the son of a top Australian surgeon, faces six years in prison if convicted of possession, and has been detained since his arrest on November 7. His arrest came several weeks after Australian beauty student Schapelle Corby, 27, was seized at Bali's international airport with 4.1 kg of cannabis in her luggage. Ms Corby, who claims the drugs were planted, is also being held in jail, though faces the death sentence if found guilty.

Meanwhile in Vietnam, Canadian traveller Randy Sachs, 26, was beginning a 16 year sentence this week after being convicted of attempting to smuggle ecstasy into the South East Asian country.

Speaking to Canadian website Canada.com, Mr Sachs' mother said she expected her son would be unable to survive Vietnam's brutal prison regime for long.

"I'm experiencing a mourning period as if he passed away," she told Canada.com this week.

"It would be easier on the family if he did. I hate to say it. It would be easier on him, too," she added.
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