NZ man gets 15 years prison in Indonesia in drug smuggling

An Indonesian court has sentenced a New Zealand man to 15 years in prison for trying to smuggle methamphetamine into the resort island of Bali.

Antony de Malmanche was arrested in December at Bali's airport with 1.7 kilograms (3.9 pounds) of methamphetamine in his baggage.

The Denpasar District Court ruled Tuesday that 53-year-old Malmanche was guilty of violating the country's anti-drug laws.

The panel of judges also fined Malmanche $300,000 or an additional three months in prison.

Indonesia has extremely strict drug laws and convicted smugglers are often executed. More than 140 people are on death row, mostly for drug crimes.

Fourteen people, mostly foreigners, have been executed this year by firing squad, all for drug trafficking.