Smuggle or Die, Bali Nine 'Told'

Cindy Wockner
Queensland Sunday Mail
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Australia
His voice trembling, Bali Nine heroin mule Scott Rush yesterday told how one of the alleged drug ring's leaders told him he would be killed if he did not take part.Rush was testifying in the trial of Michael Czugaj. "He [Andrew Chan] threatened us, with our families and told us he could kill us then and there. He put his hand in his pocket and said 'Look, I could shoot you now if I want, I got the gun," Rush, 19, told the court on the verge of tears.
He said the threats were made by Andrew Chan, one of the alleged kingpins of the drug smuggling operation who faces his own separate trial on charges which carry the death penalty. Rush was being quizzed about why, when he realised what was going on and that the packages being strapped to his body were heroin, he had failed to fight.
Questioned by one of the judges about why he didn't go to police after leaving the hotel and heading to the airport, the 20-year-old said: "Because Andrew [Chan] told us he was carrying a gun. He said he would also be following us, 15 minutes behind, so don't try anything, don't mess around."
It was the first time since the trials began that one of the Bali Nine accused has described the drama leading up to the April 17 arrest. Rush was testifying as a crown witness in the trial of Czugaj. The men were among four mules arrested at Bali airport with a total of 8.2kg of heroin strapped around their waists and thighs.
Nov 30, 2005