British woman sedated in Bali jail after being accused of drugs plot

A British woman being held over a £1.6m cocaine haul in Indonesia has been admitted to hospital and sedated, according to reports.

Rachel Dougall cannot eat, is confused, and has been given sedatives to calm her down.

She is being held with fellow Britons Julian Ponder and Paul Beales on suspicion of drug trafficking.

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Ms Dougall’s lawyer told reporters: “She is sick. She always shouted ‘Where is my daughter?’.

“She (said she wants) to see her daughter because she has six-years-old daughter.”

Made Sumadi, a doctor at Bali Police Hospital, is reported to have said: “The first treatment, we give her sedative to make her calm (so she) can sleep.

“If already she calm, we bring her back to the cell. She get confused because she is very long time don’t eat, because she cannot eat rice.”

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The Foreign Office confirmed it is aware of reports that Ms Dougall has been admitted to hospital.

“Consular staff from the British Consulate in Bali are monitoring the situation and will continue to provide consular assistance,” a spokeswoman said.

Ms Dougall, Mr Ponder and Mr Paules were arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking at the end of May. An Indian man was also arrested.

The four suspects were held after British housewife Lindsay Sandiford, 55, was allegedly caught with 11lb of cocaine stuffed in the lining of a suitcase. Mrs Sandiford, originally from Redcar, Teesside, may be have made a deal to evade the death sentence by pointing out other members of the smuggling operation, who could face a firing squad.

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Ms Dougall has maintained her innocence, insisting she was the victim of a “fit-up”. It is believed she is in a relationship with Mr Ponder and the couple have a little girl Kitty.

Mr Ponder has alleged he was set up by Ms Sandiford as he went to pick up a birthday present.

TBritish officials are helping the girl as well as the arrested Britons.

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