An alleged British fugitive has been arrested in Bali with pornography and drugs, after fleeing the UK to avoid drug-dealing charges, Indonesian authorities have said
Terrence David Murrell, 31, is wanted by police in the UK, after escaping to Bali as he was due in court to be sentenced for dealing illegal steroids imported from China.
Londoner Murrell was selling explicit videos of himself online to fund an extravagant lifestyle on the island, Immigration official Amran Aris said.
Murrell was paraded at a news conference on Tuesday where Mr Aris described pornography on the suspect’s mobile phone as ‘deviant’.
Terrence David Murrell, 31, is wanted by police in the UK, after escaping to Bali as he was due in court to be sentenced for dealing illegal steroids imported from China. Murrell was paraded at a news conference on Tuesday
Terrence David Murrell, 31, is wanted by police in the UK, after escaping to Bali as he was due in court to be sentenced for dealing illegal steroids imported from China . Londoner Murrell was selling explicit videos of himself online to fund an extravagant lifestyle on the island, Immigration official Amran Aris said.
Terrence Murrell (pictured in one of his holiday snaps) fled Britain to the Indonesian island before he was due in court to be sentenced for dealing illegal steroids imported from China
Indonesia, a socially conservative country, has strict laws against narcotics and the production and distribution of pornography.
‘About his pornographic content, I did not say that it was made in Bali,’ Mr Aris said.
‘I don’t know that it was Indonesia or Thailand and the place where the crime was committed needs further police investigation.’
Murrell was arrested on Sunday in Bali, the top tourist destination in Indonesia, and had overstayed his Indonesian tourist visa by more than 150 days.
Murrell relaxes in a Bali swimming pool after fleeing the UK to avoid his sentencing date
Murrell, pictured in one of his social media snaps, was convicted of of conspiracy to supply a Class C drug and possession with intent to supply a Class C drug
A police mugshot of Murrell who was jailed for 37 months in his absence for his role in a drugs ring importing steroids from China
He tested positive for drugs, Mr Aris said, and also had various paraphernalia for drug use.
‘We are still investigating the porn content, including digital forensic examinations to prove pornography law violation,’ said Denpasar chief police detective Wayan Artha Ariawan.
‘At this moment, he could face immigration violation and illegal drugs use (charges).’
Instead of keeping a low profile in Indonesia Murrell has mocked police with constant updates on social media, updating his Facebook and Instagram pages with smirking pictures in the sunshine.
Murrell, who is believed to have made more than £220,000 as part of a £2million drugs ring, captioned one picture with friends: ‘The baddest men in Bali.’
He also posed for pictures in a luxurious swimming pool, working out in a gym and using his laptop in a four-poster bed. Many of the snaps were captioned: ‘Boss life.’
A court in Wales heard in October Murrell was a leading member of a £2million steroid gang who shipped drugs from China to the UK to sell.
The heavily tattooed male model has posted constant updates on Facebook and Instagram
Murrell relaxes in a four-poster bed with his laptop as he escapes justice on the island
He claimed to police he bought the drugs for himself because he ‘wanted to look his best as a male model’.
But prosecutor Sarah Badrawy said bank accounts showed Murrell had pocketed more than £220,000.
He later admitted supplying class C drugs in north Wales through websites but failed to turn up for a sentencing hearing at Caernarfon Crown Court.
John Lyons, defending, said: ‘He has been prevaricating about his pleas for some time. He was always going to admit the offences but kept putting off the evil day.’
Judge Rees said Murrell was part of ‘a very extensive criminal operation’ which imported the drugs from Hong Kong and China.
The 30-year-old has posted frequent updates since fleeing the UK to escape his sentencing
Murrell poses for a picture working out in a gym in one of the taunting snaps from Indonesia
Murrell, who is believed to have made more than £220,000 dealing drugs, poses with friends (standing far right) and under a waterfall. He captioned one picture: ‘The baddest men in Bali’
A judge who sentenced the 30-year-old in his absence said Murrell was part of ‘a very extensive criminal operation’ which imported the drugs from Hong Kong and China
He added: ‘It is well known that anabolic steroids have been widely abused in sport, especially where an increase in muscle mass is required.
‘The administration of steroids often produces unwanted side effects, mood swings, over confidence, aggression, loss of libido and liver toxicity.’
Sentencing him to 37 months in jail in his absence, Judge Huw Rees said Murrell was ‘living in the lap of luxury’.
Murrell was convicted of of conspiracy to supply a Class C drug and possession with intent to supply a Class C drug.
The drugs ring was stopped after customs officials intercepted a number of parcels that were addressed to the defendants or bogus business addresses they were using to hide the conspiracy.
The parcels were found to contain raw steroids and other items used in the manufacture and distribution of the drugs.