Australian woman sentenced to 16 years in prison for smuggling drugs into Taiwan

An Australian woman has been sentenced to a 16-year prison term for attempting to enter Taiwan with a large quantity of drugs in her luggage in December last year.

Debbie Voulgaris, 57, was arrested at Taoyuan International Airport after customs and immigration officers found 3.8 kilograms of heroin, and 385 grams of cocaine, hidden in her luggage as she attempted to enter the country on December 10, 2023.

According to evidence presented to the Taoyuan District Court, Voulgaris picked up a suitcase containing heroin and cocaine in Malaysia on December 8. On December 10, Voulgaris boarded a flight to Taiwan, intending to hand the drugs over to others after arrival. However, customs officers detected abnormalities in her luggage during an x-ray inspection. An examination of the luggage revealed the drugs wrapped in black plastic bags.

Drugs found in suspect’s luggage. Picture: Taoyuan Aviation Police.

Voulgaris at first vehemently denied attempting to smuggle the drugs, then attempted to blame others. However, during preparations for trial, Voulgaris eventually confessed, implicating her ex-husband, John Voulgaris.

Voulgaris claimed that she had agreed to transport the drugs in return for free flights and accommodation, and a fee of US$1,800.

The maximum penalty for smuggling narcotics into Taiwan is death or life imprisonment. However, the court took into consideration that Voulgaris had confessed to the crime. The court also took into consideration Voulgaris’ level of intelligence, and family financial circumstances when handing a reduced sentence of 16 years.

Deportation will follow immediately upon completion of the sentence or early release.

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