Michael Czugaj

Michael William Czugaj (born c. 1986) an Australian former glazier from Oxley, a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, was convicted in Indonesia for drug trafficking as a member of the Bali Nine. In 2005, Czugaj was arrested at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar with 1.75 kg (3.9 lb) of heroin concealed on his body. After a criminal trial on 14 February 2006 Czugaj was sentenced to life imprisonment. His life sentence was reduced to a term of 20 years on appeal on 26 April 2006, but reinstated five months later.

Rush took action in the Federal Court of Australia against the AFP for breach of the bilateral treaty between Indonesia and Australia when information was handed by the AFP to the Indonesians. Rush's case claimed that such information should only be released by the Attorney-General. However, the Commonwealth Government maintained that the treaty only applies after a suspect is charged. The application was dismissed by the Federal Court in January 2006.

On 14 February 2006, Czugaj was sentenced to life imprisonment. Commenting on the sentences at the time, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty stated:

After an appeal for a more lenient sentence, Czugaj's sentence was reduced to 20 years on 26 April 2006; however, this was overturned and the original life sentence reinstated on 6 September 2006.

Czugaj was an apprentice glazier, keen surfer, one of eight children born to Polish Australian parents. He left his job in March 2005 and told his family that he was going to Cairns for a holiday. Czugaj's parents were quoted as saying he was a "problem child" but had never been in serious trouble and had no drug history. His father, Steven, said he didn't think he had a passport:

According to media reports, Czugaj claimed that his Brisbane friend, Scott Rush, introduced him to Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen whilst socialising in Brisbane. Nguyen offered them both a free holiday to Bali. Czugaj, aged 18, and Rush, aged 19, arrived in Bali on 8 April 2005 and checked into Hotel Aneka, the same hotel used by Indonesian police for their surveillance.

Czugaj was arrested by Indonesian police on 17 April 2005 at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, Bali. Heroin weighing 1.75 kg (3.9 lb) was discovered strapped to his legs and chest, concealed underneath his clothing. Rush, Renae Lawrence and Martin Stephens were arrested at the same time as Czugaj. On 20 April 2005, graphic footage of the arrests and subsequent police questioning of Czugaj and other members of the Bali Nine was aired on Australian television.

Criminal trials for the accused commenced in the Denpasar District Court on 11 October 2005. Chen, Nguyen and Norman were tried together, with Czugaj being one of the remaining six defendants tried separately. Czugaj testified Rush introduced him to Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen in Brisbane, with Nguyen allegedly offering both Czugaj and Rush a free holiday to Bali. Czugaj testified he had never met fellow drug mules Lawrence or Stephens, both of New South Wales, until they were all arrested together at Ngurah Rai International Airport carrying the concealed heroin; however, he had met Chan.

Following his sentencing, it was revealed that he had earlier led a life of petty crime including train fare evasion, wilful damage, drink-driving and receiving stolen property. It was reported that Czugaj had 14 convictions for offences and was regularly before several Brisbane Magistrates' Courts between 2003 and 2005. Subsequent to the criminal proceedings in Bali, in 2008 Czugaj's older brother, Richard, pleaded guilty to assault and was sentenced to 18 months' jail.