Three British nationals stood trial in Denpasar, Bali, on June 3, 2025, accused of involvement in a cocaine smuggling operation that could see them face the death penalty under Indonesia’s stringent drug laws. The case, which has drawn international attention, underscores the Southeast Asian nation’s hardline stance on narcotics, even as recent moves by the government signal a potential softening in the application of capital punishment for foreign offenders.
Details of the Arrest and Charges
Jonathan Christopher Collyer, 38, and Lisa Ellen Stocker, 39, were apprehended on February 1 at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport. According to public court records, authorities discovered 17 packages of cocaine, weighing nearly a kilogram, in their possession. Phineas Ambrose Float, 31, allegedly intended to receive the drugs and was arrested a few days later. The trio now faces charges of drug smuggling and participation in a narcotics transaction, offenses that carry the maximum penalty of death under Indonesian law. 
The trial opened on June 3 in Denpasar, the capital of Bali province, with a packed courtroom. While the hearing marked the formal start of proceedings, a verdict is not expected for several weeks or months, as is typical in such high-profile cases. The severity of the potential punishment has placed the case under intense scrutiny, particularly given Indonesia’s history of executing foreign nationals for drug crimes.
Indonesia’s Drug Laws and Death Penalty Moratorium
Indonesia is known for its uncompromising approach to drug trafficking, a policy rooted in the country’s efforts to curb the devastating impact of narcotics on its population. The death penalty remains on the books for drug-related offenses, and over the years, several foreigners have been executed, including members of the infamous “Bali Nine” group in 2015. However, since 2017, the government has observed an unofficial moratorium on capital punishment, with no executions carried out during this period.
This moratorium has not diminished the legal threat of the death penalty, which continues to hang over defendants like Collyer, Stocker, and Float. Legal experts note that while convictions for drug smuggling often result in lengthy prison sentences, the possibility of a death sentence serves as a powerful deterrent—or, for critics, a disproportionate punishment. “The law allows for the death penalty, but its application has become less certain in recent years” said Dr. Ananda Putra, a criminal law professor at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta. “Judges often weigh international pressure and diplomatic relations in such cases.”
The British Embassy in Jakarta has yet to issue a public statement on the trial, though it is likely monitoring the situation closely. Historically, the UK government has opposed the death penalty in all circumstances and may seek to intervene diplomatically if the defendants are convicted and sentenced to death.
Recent Shifts in Policy Under Prabowo Subianto
The trial coincides with a period of apparent transition in Indonesia’s handling of foreign drug offenders under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, which took office in late 2024. In recent months, the government has repatriated several high-profile inmates convicted of drug crimes, citing humanitarian grounds or bilateral agreements. In February 2025, Frenchman Serge Atlaoui, who had been on death row for nearly two decades, was returned to France after a deal between Jakarta and Paris. Similarly, in December 2024, Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina domestic worker facing execution, was taken off death row and sent back to the Philippines.
Perhaps most notably, the five remaining members of the “Bali Nine”—a group of Australians convicted in 2005 for attempting to smuggle heroin out of Bali—were repatriated to Australia in late 2024. These moves have fueled speculation that Indonesia may be reevaluating its approach to foreign nationals convicted of drug offenses, though officials have emphasized that such decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. According to the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections, 96 foreigners remained on death row for drug charges prior to Veloso’s release, a figure that highlights the scale of the issue.
Analysts suggest that Prabowo’s administration is balancing domestic demands for tough drug policies with international calls for leniency. “Repatriation deals allow Indonesia to maintain its strict laws on paper while avoiding the diplomatic fallout of executions” said Sarah Lim, a Southeast Asia policy researcher based in Singapore. “But for those on trial now, the threat of death remains very real until a verdict is reached.”
International Implications and Public Reaction
The case of the three British nationals has reignited debates over the ethics and efficacy of the death penalty for drug crimes. In the UK, where capital punishment was abolished in 1965, public opinion often leans against such severe penalties, particularly for non-violent offenses. Advocacy groups like Reprieve, which campaigns against the death penalty globally, have already expressed concern over the Bali trial, urging the British government to push for clemency if the defendants are convicted.
On social media platforms like X, sentiment among Indonesian users appears mixed. Some defend the country’s drug laws as necessary to protect society, with posts highlighting the destructive impact of narcotics in local communities. Others argue that the death penalty is outdated and that rehabilitation, rather than punishment, should be prioritized. “Drug smugglers destroy lives, but does killing them solve anything?” wrote one user based in Jakarta. Such divisions reflect broader tensions within Indonesia over how to address the drug trade.
Globally, the trial serves as a reminder of the risks faced by travelers in countries with harsh drug laws. Bali, a popular tourist destination for Britons, Australians, and others, has long been a hotspot for drug-related arrests, often involving small quantities of narcotics for personal use. The current case, involving a significant amount of cocaine, is likely to reinforce warnings from foreign governments about the consequences of drug possession or trafficking in Indonesia.
Legal Proceedings and Potential Outcomes
As the trial unfolds in Denpasar, the defense teams for Collyer, Stocker, and Float are expected to challenge the prosecution’s evidence and argue for reduced sentences if convictions are secured. Under Indonesian law, judges have discretion to impose penalties below the maximum, particularly if defendants show remorse or cooperate with authorities. However, the nearly one-kilogram haul of cocaine—a substantial quantity—may weigh heavily against the trio.
Legal observers note that even if the death penalty is imposed, it could take years for any sentence to be carried out, given the current moratorium and the lengthy appeals process. There is also the possibility of a future repatriation deal, similar to those seen in recent months, though such an outcome would depend on diplomatic negotiations between London and Jakarta. “The political climate at the time of sentencing will be crucial” said Dr. Putra. “If relations between the UK and Indonesia are strong, a transfer agreement could be on the table.”
For now, the defendants remain in custody in Bali, where conditions in detention facilities are often criticized by human rights groups for overcrowding and inadequate medical care. Their families have not made public statements, and it is unclear whether they have traveled to Indonesia to attend the trial.
Looking Ahead
As the legal process continues, the fate of the three British nationals will likely remain a focal point for discussions on drug policy, international law, and human rights in Indonesia. The case raises broader questions about whether the country’s punitive approach to narcotics can coexist with its recent gestures toward leniency for foreign offenders. For now, the courtroom in Denpasar holds the key to their future, with the shadow of the death penalty looming large over the proceedings.
