An Australian man facing the death penalty in Bali after being caught with 19.97 grams of crystal meth and ecstasy pills was once a high-flying accountant from Queensland who even ran for parliament.
Isaac Emmanuel Roberts, born in Toowoomba, south Queensland, was allegedly caught with the drugs hidden in his suitcase on December 4, but his arrest was kept hidden from the public until now.
The 35-year-old chartered accountant confessed to being a prolific drug user and told waiting media he was a ‘f***ing addict’, but alleges he is not a dealer.
Isaac Emmanuel Roberts, (pictured) born in Toowoomba, south Queensland, was allegedly caught with the drugs hidden in his suitcase on December 4, but his arrest was kept hidden from the public until now
The 35-year-old chartered accountant (far right) confessed to being a prolific drug user and told waiting media he was a ‘f***ing addict’, but alleges he is not a dealer
Roberts ran as a Liberal Democrat candidate in the seat of Higgins in Melbourne in 2009. He was unsuccessful, polling eighth out of 10 candidates.
His social media accounts reveal the alleged drug user to be a dedicated gym junkie who regularly visits the Indonesian island and Thailand.
Pictures on his Instagram show his frequent travels to Asian destinations such as Sukhumvit in Bangkok, Thailand.
Roberts was travelling from Bangkok into Bali when he was allegedly caught with the drugs.
He works as a professional accountant and was last registered as an employee of M-Tax Accountants in Queensland.
His career in accounting has taken him to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
Shocking photographs surfaced on Tuesday showing him sitting in a media conference wearing orange prisoner garb and a black balaclava over his head.
Roberts’ social media accounts reveal the alleged meth user (right) to be a dedicated gym junkie who regularly visits the Indonesian island and Thailand
Roberts (right) works as a professional accountant and was last registered as an employee of Tax Accountants in Queensland.
Roberts (pictured), was reportedly arrested after officials found the drugs in his luggage on December 4 this year
He was pictured beside two other suspects guarded by police officers who wore balaclavas and carried rifles.
Roberts was allegedly found with 6.22 grams of ecstasy, 14.32 grams of methamphetamine and 22 mils of a psychotropic substance.
Details of his arrest were kept secret until Tuesday, when the drug bust was announced by Indonesian officials.
‘We have arrested an Australian, IER, for bringing drugs into Bali,’ Customs and Excise Officer Husni Syaiful said.
Roberts (pictured) reportedly arrived in Bali on a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok on December 4
Roberts (pictured) was allegedly found with 6.22 grams of ecstasy, 14.32 grams of methamphetamine and 22 mils of a psychotropic substance
Roberts reportedly arrived in Bali on a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok on December 4.
The drugs were allegedly discovered when his luggage was X-rayed.
Indonesia carries the maximum death penalty for drug importation crimes.
Speaking to media after the conference, Roberts reportedly said he was invited to Indonesia by a customs officer.
‘I was working with a customs officer and they knew I was going to bring something,’ he told reporters in Bali.
Roberts (pictured) reportedly arrived in Bali on a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok on December 4
Isaac Roberts is escorted by officers, followed by media, at the customs office in Kuta, Bali
Isaac Roberts escorted by armed police officers from the media conference on Tuesday
‘I’m just a f*****g addict. They want to waste resources on addicts, they want to punish addicts? This is ridiculous. What about the f…..g importers? I wasn’t going to sell it to anyone here, no one was going to use it here. This is ridiculous. This is an embarrassment.’
Indonesian police alleged Roberts admitted to being a drug user, but denied he was a dealer.
Roberts is being held in jail at police headquarters in Denpasar, Indonesia.
When the police investigation is finished, he will reportedly be transferred to Kerobokan prison – where he will await trial.
Speaking to media after the conference, Mr Roberts (pictured) reportedly said he was ‘just a f*****g addict’
A Malaysian man, initials given as CHJ (left) and a US man, initials given as KSL (right) were also arrested after allegedly caught with a small amount of drugs in their possession
Anti-Narcotics Agency officials show an Australian man (second from left), an American man (centre), and a Malaysian man (second from right)
The men arrested were allegedly caught with the drugs including methamphetamine, in their possession
Roberts describes himself as a Chartered Accountant and Registered Tax Agent on his personal website.
‘I specialise in personal income tax returns, however years of experience in corporate tax have given me the confidence to service many business clients,’ he said.