PM warns Australians over drugs

Mr Howard said he would keep pushing the message

Australians who take drugs into Asian countries are "stupid" and should not expect to be bailed out by Canberra, Prime Minister John Howard has said.

Mr Howard's comments come just days after another two Australians were held in Indonesia over trafficking charges.

Twelve young Australians are now facing execution or long jail terms in Indonesia for various drug offences.

Among them are eight men and a woman - known as the Bali nine - held in April for reportedly trafficking heroin.

It's beyond belief that any Australian could be so stupid as to carry drugs into any country in Asia Australian PM John Howard

Indonesia has increasingly become a transit route for drug traffickers, and courts across the country have toughened up on offenders in recent years, sentencing several foreigners to death.

No mercy

"It's beyond belief that any Australian could be so stupid as to carry drugs into any country in Asia," Mr Howard told Australia's Nine Network television.

Mr Howard said he would keep pushing the message

"We have told Australians - young Australians, again and again, don't take drugs out of this country, don't take them into Asian countries because you can't expect any mercy.

"We'll keep pushing that message, but people have to understand that if they defy that, and they get caught with drugs, they can't expect the government to bail them out," Mr Howard said.

The prime minister issued the warning after two young Australians were detained in Indonesia over weekend.

Michelle Leslie, 24, was arrested in Bali after police said they found ecstasy pills in her bag, while Graham Clifford was caught in Sumatra for allegedly possessing about 2,000 prescription drugs.

In May, former beauty therapist Schapelle Corby, 20, was jailed for 20 years for smuggling 4.1 kg (9 lb) of marijuana into Bali.

Corby's case has attracted widespread sympathy in Australia, and some people have even said they will not visit Bali in protest at her jailing.