What started as a sunny escape to Bali has turned into a terrifying legal saga for three Brits, now facing the possibility of life in prison — or even the death penalty — over drug smuggling allegations.
Jon Collyer, 38, Lisa Stocker, 39, and Phineas Float, 31, all from East Sussex, have found themselves at the centre of a high-stakes trial after being accused of trying to bring nearly £300,000 worth of cocaine into Indonesia.
Arrest at the Airport Over Angel Delight Sachets
Collyer and Stocker, a couple believed to be parents of young children, were stopped at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport back in February.
Authorities say they discovered 994 grams of cocaine hidden inside sachets of Angel Delight – a nostalgic dessert mix popular in the UK.
A few days later, their alleged accomplice Float, who was reportedly waiting to receive the drugs, was also arrested.
All three were led into court in handcuffs this week, dressed in red prison vests and white shirts as they faced the serious charges.
Facing Death or Decades in an Indonesian Prison
Indonesia has some of the harshest drug laws in the world.
While executions by firing squad have been paused in recent years, the death penalty remains on the books for serious drug offences.
According to their lawyer, Sheiny Pangkahila, if the trio is convicted, they could face between 15 to 20 years behind bars — potentially more if prosecutors push for the harshest sentence.
For now, a verdict is not expected for several weeks.
Family and Friends Back Home in Shock
As the trial unfolds, loved ones back in East Sussex are struggling to cope.
Collyer’s father, Julian, spoke of the emotional toll, admitting he hadn’t spoken to his son in weeks and was “very, very worried” about what’s to come.
One of Stocker’s family members broke down, saying: “She’s just a mum.
Her kids are going to be desperate without her… I can’t sleep at night thinking about what might happen.”
A Friend’s Warning and Disbelief
Friends of the couple have also voiced their shock. A close friend, Dean, said he was horrified when he found out.
“I didn’t even know they’d gone to Bali. Lisa has got three kids — what are they going to do if she’s locked up for years?”
Others who knew the family described them as “nice” and expressed disbelief that they’d get involved in something like this.
How Authorities Caught Them
The arrests reportedly came after airport security noticed suspicious items in the couple’s luggage during an X-ray screening.
Officials say they found multiple packages of cocaine hidden in blue Angel Delight sachets and plastic bags — 17 in total — split between Collyer and Stocker’s suitcases.
The drugs are estimated to have a street value close to £296,000, which instantly made this a major criminal case under Indonesian law.
Previous Cases Hint at Possible Outcomes
Indonesia has made headlines in the past for its tough stance on drug smugglers, even executing foreign nationals.
However, President Prabowo Subianto has recently repatriated some convicted foreigners on humanitarian grounds.
Just earlier this year, Frenchman Serge Atlaoui was allowed to return home due to illness, and others — including members of the infamous Bali Nine — have been sent back to their home countries.
More British Nationals Caught Abroad
These three aren’t the only Brits currently in trouble abroad for drug offences.
In Sri Lanka, a 21-year-old former flight attendant from Coulsdon, Charlotte May Lee, was arrested with over £1.2 million worth of high-strength cannabis. She claims she was set up.
And in Georgia, 18-year-old Bella May Culley from County Durham is facing life in prison after allegedly being caught with 14 kg of cannabis in her luggage.
Her family had reported her missing in Thailand, only to later discover she was detained over 3,000 miles away.
Are the Cases Connected?
While both young women were arrested on the same day after leaving Bangkok airport, there’s no confirmed connection between their cases.
Charlotte May Lee has said she doesn’t know Culley, who is currently being held until her next hearing on July 1.
UK Government Providing Support
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) confirmed it’s supporting the three Britons detained in Bali and staying in contact with local authorities.
Their fate, along with that of other young Brits jailed abroad, now lies in the hands of foreign courts — with the eyes of worried families and friends fixed firmly on what happens next.