Australian teen Jamie Murphy released as white powder tests negative for drugs

“All drug tests against him came to be negative, so he should be released immediately”, Bali police chief Sugeng Priyanto said.

Jamie Murphy’s friends visited him at Kuta police station.

The boy’s parents arrived in Denpasar on Wednesday from Perth, while friends have delivered him food and beverages during his stay in custody.

“We have not yet dubbed him as a perpetrator”, Mr Wimoko said.

If it is found to be drugs, Murphy faces a maximum of 12 years in prison.

Mr Murphy was then taken to a nearby police station for further questioning, according to the statement.

Footage of the arrest shows a guard gripping Murphy’s head and by the expression on the teen’s face, it looks downright painful.

Murphy would be released because no crime has been committed, he said.

It could be days before an Australian teenager finds out if he will be charged with drug offences.

It is unclear when the teenager is expected to leave Bali, with his lawyer Dessy Widiantari adding he will “hopefully he will fly back tomorrow [Thursday]”.

It’s believed Murphy purchased the powder from a street vendor, and he didn’t know what it was.

“We will tell his family through the consulate that the child is a user because he may have used the drugs back in Australia – we can’t tell for sure”.

“But the police always try to do the best for foreigners, especially Australians”, he said.

Mr Murphy had been detained since early on Tuesday morning, after security staff at a nightclub allegedly found the powder during a search.

On Wednesday evening, management for Sky Garden apologised for the security guard’s actions.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says that Murphy’s plight should be a warning to other prospective schoolies – especially those visiting other jurisdictions to party.

Gerry Maio, the president of the Perth-based Bayswater City soccer club where Murphy plays, said he had spoken to the teen’s mother, who was overwhelmed by what had happened.

A spokeswoman from the Education Department said no comment was available on the situation due to its “volatility”, but did confirm Mr Murphy was not a 2016 school leaver.