An Australian mother of five could face the death penalty in Taiwan after 7kg of cocaine and heroin were allegedly discovered in her suitcase.
Debbie Voulgaris, 57, was arrested at Taoyuan International Airport in December after drugs were allegedly found in black plastic bags inside her luggage.
Taiwanese police allege she initially “vehemently denied” she had known about the drugs and claimed her ex-husband John was behind the plot.
Voulgaris’ lawyer Leon Huang said it was “essential” that his ex take the stand as he was the only person who could confirm her claims.
They allege that Voulgaris was given category one drugs in Malaysia around December 10 before flying to Taiwan, ABC reported.
They allege the Australian mother was paid $1,800 (A$2,700) for taking the drugs, in addition to accommodation and transportation costs.
An Australian mother of five could face the death penalty in Taiwan after 7 kilos of cocaine and heroin were allegedly discovered in her suitcase.
Debbie Voulgaris, 57, was arrested at Taoyuan International Airport in December after drugs were allegedly found in black plastic bags inside her luggage.
The category one drugs had a street value of about $1.25 million, according to Chen Po-chuan, captain of Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Brigade.
Po-chaun said Voulgaris told authorities he was in Taiwan on vacation.
He said They had sent officers to their hotel to see if anyone was coming to pick up the drugs, but no one had arrived.
Voulgaris has been detained in a Taiwanese prison since her arrest.
Her lawyer Leon Huang said his client was a “good-natured person” who “easily believed people” and had been used as a drug “mule.”
“From her description… it appeared that Ms. Debbie Voulgaris was not aware of the nature of her trip in the first place,” Mr. Huang said.
“And number two, he had no idea what was in and under his luggage, because there is a hidden compartment and he wasn’t aware of it.”
Mr. Huang said that because his client had admitted his guilt early, while still maintaining that he knew nothing about the drugs, he could avoid the death penalty.
“If the court finds someone worthy of sympathy, as in Debbie’s case, they normally wouldn’t want to offer them the option of the death penalty,” he said.
Authorities allegedly discovered 7kg of cocaine and heroin inside his luggage (pictured)
Taoyuan District prosecutors alleged that Voulgaris was part of a “drug transportation syndicate” in documents filed in a Taiwanese court.
“Although the defendant confessed to the crime during the court’s preparatory proceedings, it is noted that she had previously vehemently denied the crime during the investigation and detention interrogation by this court, and her statements have been inconsistent,” the documents state.
‘In particular, the defendant claimed that the accomplice, John, who ordered her to bring category one narcotics to Taiwan, is her ex-husband, indicating a close relationship.
“The defendant and her lawyer requested that John be subpoenaed to testify during the preparatory procedure, which implies that there remains a risk of collusion with John before his testimony.”
Voulgaris has been denied visits from family members, but can receive visits from his legal team and officials from the Australian office in Taipei.
A request for his release was denied in March, with judges Cai Yirong and Hou Jingyun ruling that there was substantial evidence that he was a flight risk.
His lawyers had argued that their client had not spoken to his family in three months, was struggling to adapt to Chinese food and could not speak Chinese.
Voulgaris was arrested at Taoyuan International Airport (pictured) in December.
However, the judges ruled that these “were not factors to be considered in determining the need for detention.”
“It is noted that the defendant’s daughter knows John’s contact information, therefore it cannot be ruled out that the defendant may use his daughter to contact John, making this (contact) request unacceptable,” they said.
Voulgaris will appear in court in August. She could face the death penalty or life in prison if she is convicted or a minimum of five years behind bars.
However, the chances of him receiving the death penalty are unlikely after Taiwan’s Constitutional Court ruled last August that imposing a life sentence or the death penalty for drug crimes is partially unconstitutional.
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said an Australian woman detained in Taiwan was receiving consular assistance.
A change.org petition for Voulgaris’ release has received 3,000 signatures.
“Anyone who knows her or has met her understands what a pure and kind heart she has,” the petition’s author wrote.
‘She is a mother of five children and could face the death penalty or life imprisonment. Please sign the petition to help secure the freedom of an innocent and pure-hearted mother.’