A 91-year-old Aussie man has been charged with smuggling 4.5 kilograms of cocaine into Australia from India last month, Australian Federal Police (AFP) said.
Victor Twartz, a retired oral surgeon, was charged in July by the Australian authorities with importing 4.5 kilograms of cocaine worth over one million U.S. dollars in 27 soap bars into Sydney from India, AFP said in a statement.on Tuesday.
"The man was stopped by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers upon arrival on a flight into Sydney Airport from New Delhi 8 July 2015. A search of the man's luggage discovered 27 packages of soap. Presumptive testing of the soap showed positive readings for cocaine," the statement said.
Here is the cocaine allegedly imported into Australia from India. 91 year old Sydney man-alleged scam victim-charged. pic.twitter.com/vIjWja8PX6
— DeborahClay (@DeborahClay) August 11, 2015
Twartz on Tuesday appeared in a Sydney court. He told court that he had no idea about cocaine in his luggage. He said he met a group of people in Delhi who he had befriended online and who gave him a bag of gifts for a person in Australia.
"It was soap - I opened it up and scratched it and it certainly was soap but it had some white streaks in it, which I am told was cocaine," Twartz told Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court, according to ABC News. "They ... took me to the airport and gave it to me at the last minute," he added.
Australian police believe Twartz was the victim of a scam, according to Independent. They have warned public about dangers of failing for scams that result in people becoming drug couriers for overseas criminal syndicates.
"Claiming ignorance of drugs hidden inside your luggage does not automatically mean you will not face criminal charges," AFP acting assistant commissioner Wayne Bushhorn said in statement.
"We recommend that you do not allow another person to pack your bag and do not carry luggage on behalf of another person," Bushhorn added.
Twartz, who faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, was released on bail. If convicted Twartz would become world's oldest drug smuggler.
An 87-year-old U.S. citizen Ola Mae Agee, who was imprisoned for dealing crack from her Florida house in 2010, currently holds the title, according to Telegraph.
