Two British citizens, Lisa Stocker and Jon Collyer, have been released from prison in Bali where they were serving time for involvement in a cocaine smuggling operation. Stocker, a mother of three, and Collyer, feared harsh penalties under Indonesia’s strict drug laws but were granted early release just four months into their jail term for a £300,000 cocaine scheme.
Their initial one-year sentences were further reduced due to special holiday provisions, allowing them to leave Bali on a flight to the UK. The couple, who were spared from the death penalty, were photographed at the airport check-in counter preparing to return home.
Although Indonesia is known for its tough stance on drug offenses, Stocker and Collyer’s cooperation with authorities led to a lenient sentence. They were apprehended at Bali’s airport in February after authorities discovered cocaine concealed in their luggage. The pair claimed they were unaware of the drugs and thought they were transporting British goods for a friend.
Meanwhile, accomplice Phineas Float, who was part of the smuggling operation, was also arrested but has since been released and deported. A spokesperson from the FCDO confirmed the return of the three British nationals to the UK.
Notably, this release follows the recent freedom granted to another British drug mule, Lindsay Sandiford, who spent 13 years on death row in Bali before being released with the help of UK officials. Sandiford and another British national, Shahab Shahabadi, who was serving a life sentence for drug-related charges, were repatriated due to health concerns.
Regarding Sandiford’s return, Indonesian officials have indicated that she may face further imprisonment in the UK. The Foreign Office has not disclosed specific details about her situation but mentioned that her detention may continue in the UK according to the terms of the agreement. Inquiries have been made to the Foreign Office regarding Stocker and Collyer’s repatriation.