WATCH: An elderly couple from Australia tricked into smuggling drugs from Canada. Jennifer Tryon reports.
TORONTO – A Canadian man has been arrested after he allegedly used an unwittingly elderly Australian couple as drug mules, according to Australian Federal Police.
The 72-year-old man and 64-year-old woman allege that they thought they won an all-expense paid trip to Canada through an online competition.
The prize included two plane tickets to British Columbia, seven nights’ accommodation and new luggage.
Authorities said the Australians were the victims of a scam by a bogus Canadian-based tour company identifying itself as “AUSCAN Tours.”
The investigation began after the Perth residents alerted custom officers at Perth International Airport upon their return home to Australia saying they had concerns with their luggage.
“The organizers of this scam went to great lengths to provide a façade of legitimacy,” said Perth airport police commander David Bach, in a press release. “Thankfully the travelers contacted customs and didn’t dismiss their concerns, allowing us to make the arrest.”
A subsequent X-ray examination of the luggage showed irregularities in the lining of the suitcases and further examination revealed approximately three and a half kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in each suitcase.
A 38-year-old Canadian man was arrested on Sunday at the Perth airport and was charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.
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Police said that search warrants were conducted at a hotel in Scarborough, Australia “where it will be alleged documents associated with this scam, along with electronic equipment, two suitcases (similar to the ones seized at Perth airport) and approximately $15,000 in cash were seized.”
Jan Hill, director of airport operations at the Perth airport for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS), reminds the public to never allow another person to pack your bag and to never carry luggage on behalf of another person.
“If you’ve been asked to carry something on behalf of another person, make the right choice and alert local authorities,” said Hill.
Earlier this month, eight Canadians were arrested in Australia following an 18-month drug investigation known as Operation Diamondback.
READ MORE: Canadian-led drug ring busted in Australia
Australian police allege the Canadian-led drug ring imported nearly two tonnes of drug-making materials worth almost $300 million.
They found 650 kilograms of pseudoephedrine hidden in vanilla powder jars.
The drug is used to make crystal meth.
– with files from The Canadian Press
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