Hearing about a loved one suddenly caught up in a serious legal trouble abroad is every family’s nightmare.
That’s exactly what happened when three British nationals were arrested in Bali over an alleged cocaine smuggling case.
The news left their families and friends devastated, filled with fear and uncertainty about what the future holds for their relatives.
Jon Collyer, 38, and Lisa Stocker, 39, were stopped at Bali’s international airport in February after authorities found nearly £300,000 worth of cocaine hidden inside sachets of Angel Delight powdered dessert mix.
A few days later, Phineas Float, 31, who was reportedly meant to receive the drugs, was also arrested.
The three come from East Sussex towns Hastings and St Leonards-on-Sea and now face potentially the harshest penalties under Indonesian law, including the death sentence.
The Weight of Possible Punishments
Indonesia has a strict approach to drug trafficking, especially involving large quantities.
Past cases have seen convicted traffickers, including foreigners, executed by firing squad.
Even if the death penalty doesn’t apply, life imprisonment is a common outcome.
For the families, this grim reality is hard to process.
Jon’s father, Julian Collyer, expressed his deep worry, “I’m in deep shock, to be honest. Any parent would be very concerned about the court case and what lies ahead.”
Though he had spoken to Jon from prison recently, Julian is cautious about discussing details to avoid jeopardizing the legal process.
Meanwhile, Lisa Stocker’s family also voiced their heartbreak.
One relative, who preferred to stay anonymous, tearfully said, “She’s just a mum. Her kids are going to struggle without her. It’s unimaginable.”
She added with pain, “There are cruel people in this world who exploit vulnerable folks, and I fear that’s what happened here.”
Friends React with Disbelief and Concern
Jon’s friend Dean shared his shock, admitting he wasn’t even aware Jon and Lisa had traveled to Bali.
“It’s a complete nightmare. I can’t believe they’d risk something like this. Lisa’s got three kids—what will happen to them if she’s locked up? I hope they get out soon.”
The arrests reportedly followed airport officers spotting suspicious items in their luggage during an X-ray scan.
Officials discovered 17 packages of cocaine totaling about £296,000 hidden inside ‘Angel Delight’ sachets and plastic bags.
The Community in Disbelief
Neighbours and friends of Lisa Stocker described their surprise and sadness.
One former neighbour said, “They were a big, friendly family. Lisa was always nice. It’s hard to believe they’d be involved in something like this.”
The Bigger Picture: Indonesia’s Drug Laws and Foreign Nationals
While Indonesia still enforces tough drug laws, the death penalty has been paused since 2017.
President Prabowo Subianto has recently repatriated several foreign drug convicts on humanitarian grounds.
For example, Frenchman Serge Atlaoui was returned to France due to illness, and Mary Jane Veloso was sent back to the Philippines after being taken off death row.
Members of the infamous ‘Bali Nine’ were also repatriated to Australia.
Still, Jon, Lisa, and Phineas are among many Britons facing drug charges overseas.
Just last month, Charlotte May Lee, a former British flight attendant, was arrested in Sri Lanka for allegedly smuggling £1.2 million of synthetic cannabis.
She faces up to 25 years in prison but claims she was set up.
Other Recent Cases Highlight Growing Concerns
In a separate but similarly serious case, 18-year-old Bella May Culley was arrested in Georgia with 14kg of cannabis.
She now faces life imprisonment in a harsh women’s prison alongside a notorious murderer.
The two young women, arrested in Sri Lanka and Georgia within hours of each other, have sparked fears their cases might be connected, though Charlotte says she doesn’t know Bella.
What Lies Ahead?
The stories of Jon, Lisa, Phineas, Charlotte, and Bella highlight the risks Britons face when caught in drug-related offenses abroad.
With complicated legal systems, severe penalties, and the added strain on families, the road ahead is daunting.
Supporters hope for fair legal proceedings and possible leniency, but the uncertainty remains a heavy burden on all involved.