Renae Lawrence (born 11 October 1977[citation needed]) is an Australian woman who was convicted in Indonesia for drug trafficking as a member of the Bali Nine.
In April 2005, on her third trip to Bali, Lawrence was arrested at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar with 2.689 kg (5.93 lb) of heroin concealed on her body.
At her own request in March 2014, Lawrence was subsequently transferred to a prison in Bangli to be closer to Denpasar for her family and visitors.
[8] Media reports claim that in early October 2004 Lawrence was invited to Chan's Enfield (Sydney) home to celebrate her 27th birthday.
Lawrence claimed that seven others were involved, including Chan, Matthew Norman, and Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen (going by the alias of David).
Lawrence claim that she was again given cash to purchase flights and accommodation for eight days, staying again at the Istana Rama in Kuta.
However, the second delivery was aborted when heroin suppliers failed to deliver "due to a financial matter or someone knowing about the plan the shipment was cancelled".
The day before, Lawrence, Stephens and Si Yi Chen met with Sukumaran where police allege drug smuggling tools such as sealable plastic bags, medical tape, elastic waist bands and skin tight bike shorts were stuffed into the bags of Lawrence and Stephens.
Heroin weighing 2.689 kg (5.93 lb) was discovered strapped to her legs and chest, concealed underneath her clothing.
On 20 April 2005, graphic footage of the arrests and subsequent police questioning of Lawrence and other members of the Bali Nine was aired on Australian television.
Alleged co-ringleader, Chan was also arrested the same day whilst seated on an Australian Airlines flight waiting to depart Denpasar for Sydney.
Rush senior claims then to have received assurances from the AFP that they would tell his son he was under surveillance to dissuade him from going through with the crime before the group's departure from Indonesia.
[18][19][20] When the Bali Nine were arrested, the news of the tipoff became public[21] and there was criticism of the role of the AFP in protecting the interests of Australian citizens.
[26] However, the judges hearing the trial matters in Bali called for Australia not to intervene in Indonesia's right to impose capital punishment.
[28] Czugaj and Rush, both since convicted members of the Bali Nine and school friends from Brisbane, testified that they had never met Lawrence or Stephens until they were all arrested together at Ngurah Rai Airport.
[31] It was reported that the indictment claimed that Lawrence was a drug mule who was recruited in Sydney, was paid for her return flight and accommodation to Bali by members of the conspiracy and then had 2 kilograms (4.4 lb) of heroin strapped to her body by Chan, Sukumaran and another of the group.
[30][33][34] Lawrence admitted to her role in attempting to smuggle the drugs to Australia, saying before the Denpasar District Court on 8 January 2006:[35] "I would like to say to you and your country that I am sincerely sorry for what I have done.
[44][45] The case was then adjourned until 17 January 2019,[46] at which time Lawrence's lawyer entered a guilty plea for sentencing on 1 February 2019,[47] and was given a $1,000.00 fine with a twelve-month Community Corrections Order.