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Thread: Elderly couple used as $7m drug mules after competition 'win'

  1. #1
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    Elderly couple used as $7m drug mules after competition 'win'

    AN elderly Australian couple was used as unwitting drug mules in an elaborate scam to import $7 million worth of drugs into Australia.

    The cruel scam was uncovered by the AFP and Australian Customs officials earlier this month, who seized $7 million worth of methamphetamine in rock form.

    The alleged elaborate con involved a Canadian-based website targeting elderly Australian couples with the potential to win the all-expenses paid trip.

    Authorities today detailed how the Australian couple, a man aged 72 and woman, 64, were the "lucky'' winners, being handed two tickets to Canada, seven nights accommodation and new luggage.

    After the week-long trip, the couple returned to Australia, but on arrival reported to Customs that they had concerns about their bags.

    On examination, 3.5kg of the drug was found hidden inside each case.

    The AFP will allege their luggage was swapped while in Canada, with the couple having no clue they were then being duped into carrying the drugs home.

    The couple were due to be met on arrival, which set AFP officers into an investigation which led to a search warrant of a car and a room in Scarborough, where documents related to the con, more bags similar to the ones seized, and $15,000 in cash were found.

    Australian Federal Police arrested a 38-year-old Canadian man at the airport that day and search warrants were carried out at a hotel in Scarborough.

    The man was charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.

    AFP Perth Airport Police Commander David Bachi said further investigations revealed a complex and highly-organised scam, in which older Australians are being targeted by a bogus Canadian-based tour company identifying itself as "AUSCAN Tours".

    "The organisers of this scam went to great lengths to provide a façade of legitimacy. Thankfully the travelers contacted Customs and didn't dismiss their concerns, allowing us to make the arrest," Commander Bachi said.

    "We will continue working with local and international law enforcement partners, targeting all elements of this drug syndicate."

    ACBPS Director Airport Operations, Jan Hill, warned travellers about carrying luggage on behalf of someone else.

    "If you've been asked to carry something on behalf of another person, make the right choice and alert local authorities,"
    Ms Hill said.

    "Do not allow another person to pack your bag and do not carry luggage on behalf of another person."
    The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing

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  3. #2
    Join Date
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    Re: Elderly couple used as $7m drug mules after competition 'win'

    There is a show in the states called "Locked Up Abroad", not one of my favorites but in the episode I watched a few years back two girls were told they we going to be models. When they arrived they were held in a hotel for the weekend and sent back to the airport with drugs in their luggage.

    This could be a similar story? According to the parents the girls were going to be traveling and working in bars.

    Terrified Michaella McCollum Connolly and Melissa Reid locked up in Peruvian jail for 'cocaine smuggling' | Mail Online
    "It's virtually impossible to violate rules ... but it's impossible for a violation to go undetected, certainly not for a considerable period of time." Bernie Madoff
    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scam-...98399986981403

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