Beatrice’s father lodges police report

2

KUCHING: Laus Johie, whose daughter Beatrice Laus Johie was caught at Melbourne Airport last Sunday for having 1.5kg of heroin in her luggage, yesterday lodged a police report at the Siburan police station for legal purposes.

Laus told The Borneo Post that he had only lodged the report yesterday as his family was still in a state of “shock and panic”.

“My wife and I are still in shock and panic after receiving the news from the Malaysian Embassy in Australia.

“But after the visit by the reporters on Tuesday, I decided to make the report today (yesterday).”

Laus added that the report only contained information conveyed to his family by the embassy.

Beatrice, a ward assistant and single mother of three sons, is charged with attempting to import a marketable quantity of drugs into Melbourne Airport in her luggage.

An X-ray revealed that approximately 1.5kg of a powdered substance, believed to be a heroin-type drug, was found in the lining of her luggage.

However, Beatrice claimed that the bag belonged to a friend who was to accompany her to Melbourne, but backed off at the last minute by claiming “he had problems with his visa”.

Her Facebook account is now flooded with words of support and prayers from friends and relatives.

Kuching OCPD ACP Mun Kock Keong, when contacted yesterday, confirmed receiving the report and said the case was being investigated by Interpol.

Beatrice well taken care of by Melbourne police – Riot

Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Richard Riot Jaem, who said he was staying in constant touch with the Malaysian Consul General in Melbourne, said Beatrice was “well taken care of by the Melbourne police, but she has no access to her handphone”.

He said it was a normal for an individual under investigation to be denied access to his or her handphone.

“I can confirm that she (Beatrice) is being detained at Melbourne Airport, but I can also assure you that she is properly taken care of by Melbourne police … there is no harassment,” he said.

Riot added that the Malaysian Consul in Melbourne had been tasked to monitor the situation closely and provide him with updates.

Beatrice, if convicted, could face 25 years imprisonment or A$550,000 fine, or both.

Riot said there was nothing much the government could do to help her if she was found guilty of committing the offence.

“There is nothing much we can do because under the Vienna Convention 1963 no country can interfere with the laws of another country,” he explained.