Two British Nationals Sentenced to 8 and 11 Years for Smuggling 1.3 Kilogrammes of Cocaine to Bali
Two British nationals were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment in a ruling at Denpasar State Court on Thursday, 26 February 2026, for smuggling 1.3 kilogrammes of cocaine into Bali. Kial Garth Robinson was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment as the courier who transported the cocaine, whilst his associate Piran Ezra Wilkinson (48) received an 8-year sentence for receiving the cocaine.
In addition to the prison sentences, the judicial panel headed by Putu Gede Noviarta imposed identical fines on both defendants, who were tried separately. The fine amounted to 1 billion Indonesian rupiah, with the provision that failure to pay would result in 190 days of detention.
In its judgment, the judicial panel found that Robinson was legally and convincingly guilty of narcotics offences as defined under Article 113 paragraph (2) of Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics, in conjunction with Article 609 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code. The court imposed an 11-year prison sentence and a 1 billion rupiah fine, with an alternative of 190 days detention.
The verdict matched the prosecution’s request from Public Prosecutor Made Dipa Umbara.
In a separate trial, Wilkinson was charged under Article 112 paragraph (2) of Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning Narcotics, in conjunction with Article 609 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code. The court imposed an 8-year prison sentence and a 1 billion rupiah fine, with an alternative of 190 days detention.
The verdict was lighter than the prosecution’s previous request, which had sought a 9.5-year prison sentence and a 1 billion rupiah fine with an alternative of six months detention. In the indictment, the prosecutor stated that Wilkinson was proven to have acted as the recipient and intermediary in the distribution of Class I narcotics, specifically cocaine, in the Bali region.
The case originated from Robinson’s arrest at Ngurah Rai International Airport in late 2025, when he was found carrying approximately 1.3 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in his baggage after flying from Barcelona, Spain.
Following investigation and further inquiry by authorities, it emerged that the narcotic was intended to be handed over to a recipient in Bali. Tracing of communications subsequently led to Piran Ezra Wilkinson.
Several days after Robinson’s arrest, officers conducted a follow-up operation and arrested Wilkinson at a villa in the Mengwi area of Badung Regency. Wilkinson was suspected of being prepared to receive the narcotics for further distribution.
In the construction of the case, Robinson acted as an international courier, whilst Wilkinson served as both the recipient and distribution facilitator in the Bali region. Despite originating from the same network, the two were processed in separate case files.
During trial, the defendants, through their legal representatives, requested sentence reductions, citing their limited roles and cooperative conduct throughout the legal process. Following the pronouncement of judgment, both defendants and the prosecution stated their acceptance of the verdict.