Scammers forcing elderly Australians to be drug mules to pay off debts

Drug syndicates are forcing elderly passengers caught in online scams to smuggle drugs into Australia to pay off their debts.

The Australian Federal Police said on Sunday that the trend of drug mules was uncovered by a series of drug detections by the Australian Border Force.

Detections at Sydney International Airport have involved elderly and vulnerable passengers since the reopening of the international border.

Since October 2021, the AFP has arrested 18 alleged drug couriers coming from international flights.

Since October 2021, Australian Federal Police have arrested 18 alleged drug couriers coming from international flights. Pictured is a baggage claim at the airport

This included two elderly US citizens who were caught in Sydney with 15kg of methamphetamine and 1.5kg of cocaine in the lining of their luggage.

Some of the accused smugglers who had illegal drugs in their luggage told AFP they were “forced into the role” after falling victim to online financial scams.

AFP commander Kate Ferry said it was not surprising that criminal syndicates were trying new tactics to bring drugs into the country.

“Criminal syndicates naturally exploit vulnerable communities and will take whatever tactics are necessary to import drugs into our country,” she said.

“We have unfortunately seen cases where people have not only fallen victim to classic inheritance or investment scams and lost their money.

“But they then get false hopes of getting their money back. Some unknowingly work as drug couriers for the criminal syndicate.”

Commander Ferry said the consequences for victims could be serious, including long prison terms.

Two elderly US citizens were caught in Sydney with 15kg of methamphetamine and 1.5kg of cocaine in the lining of their luggage.

The elderly US citizens who were caught with methamphetamine and cocaine told police they had flown to Zimbabwe, where they had been given the suitcases of a criminal syndicate.

Drug syndicates are forcing elderly passengers caught in online scams to smuggle drugs into Australia to pay off their debts. Pictured is an elderly man with his head in his hands

They were forced to act as drug couriers after being waived $500,000 in an online scam.

Their travel arrangements were allegedly made by a Nigerian and a British citizen.

The Australian Border Force also arrested a few elderly German citizens in Sydney with two suitcases allegedly containing a total of 18kg of methamphetamine.

The couple also told police they had flown to Zimbabwe, where the bags were provided to them with appointments via a UK phone number.