Woman, 19, ‘faces death by firing squad’ after being caught with cocaine in her bag on visit to party island
A TEENAGE girl could reportedly face death by firing squad after she was caught with cocaine in her bag on a visit to a party island.
Manuela Vitoria de Araujo Farias from Brazil was caught with the party drugs as she flew into Bali, Indonesia.
Cops arrested the 19-year-old at Denpasar International Airport and claimed she had 6.6lbs of cocaine in her possession as she entered the country.
The young woman has been in custody for the last three months and was charged with alleged international drug trafficking.
Last week, during her initial trial, prosecutors demanded the maximum penalty.
Under Indonesia’s punitive anti-drug laws, she could face execution by firing squad or life imprisonment if she is convicted of trafficking.
Prosecutors alleged she was working with an international drug gang.
However, her lawyer Davi Lira da Silva claimed the teenager was tricked by people she trusted.
Prior to her arrest, Farias had been living between Santa Catarina and Para in Brazil.
Silva said her mother had recently suffered a stroke and that Farias was going to seek Buddhist prayers for a cure.
The lawyer claimed she was subsequently tricked into cooperating after the gang who hired her told her of temples on the island where they pray for the sick.
It was also alleged the gang promised to pay for surfing lessons for the woman once she arrived in the country.
The case was adjourned for the sentencing to be announced later this month.
Investigations are reportedly ongoing into the people she claimed handed her the drugs.