An Australian man faces up to 20 years in an Indonesian prison after being arrested with a stash of drugs allegedly in his possession, police say.

Andrew Roger, 53, was detained at a cafe he runs from his home in the city of Surabaya in eastern Java. He was rolling a marijuana cigarette with two friends, Surabaya police commissioner Setija Junianta alleges.

"From his home we seized marijuana, crystal methamphetamine, ketamine, ecstasy pills and Happy-5 pills (nimetazepam), and instruments to consume the drugs," commissioner Junianta said.

"He admitted all the drugs and materials were his and said that they were only for personal use, not for distribution."

Mr Roger was allegedly found with 800 grams of marijuana and 9.2 grams of crystal methamphetamine and told police he would buy one kilogram of marijuana every two to three months for personal use.

Police allege Mr Roger admitted he consumed drugs for years in Australia and continued to do so in Indonesia and East Timor, where he has worked as a contractor.

Indonesia has stiff penalties for drug crimes, including the death penalty for trafficking and distribution.

People who can prove addiction, however, are often given more lenient sentences and are required to undergo rehabilitation.

Several foreigners have been jailed in Indonesia for drug crimes in recent years, including two Australian men and a British grandmother sentenced to death in two separate trafficking cases.

Australian Renae Lawrence, who is serving a 20-year sentence in Indonesia for attempting to smuggle heroin to Australia, will be eligible to apply for parole next year, her father said in March.

Fellow convicted Australian drug smuggler Schapelle Corby was this year released on parole from a Bali prison.

AFP/ABC