TDPO Prosecuted Australian woman smuggling several kilograms of heroin and cocaine into Taiwan Case

Taiwan Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office(TDPO) Prosecutor Po Cheng Lin, working with Aviation Police Bureau, National Police Agency, Ministry of Interior, investigated an Australian Citizen, Debbie Voulgaris, smuggling several kilograms of heroin and cocaine into Taiwan. Debbie Voulgaris "vehemently denied" during the investigation and the case was brought to Taiwan Taoyuan District Court in December,2023.

Summary of Fact:

Debbie Voulgaris, an Australian Citizen, joined a drug trafficking group, which has a plan to smuggle several kilograms of heroin and cocaine from Malaysia to Taiwan on purpose.

The criminal group agreed with Debbie Voulgaris to pay a reward of $1,800, along with benefits such as accommodation and transportation expenses.

Debbie Voulgaris was handed a luggage, filled with the category one drugs, seven kilograms of heroin and cocaine(approx. $US1.25m) in total, in Malaysia around December 10, 2023 before she took a flight to Taiwan by drug trafficking group.

On December 10,2023,Debbie Voulgaris took the flight No.BR-218 with the luggage from Malaysia to Taiwan. When the luggage arrived in Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, the officials of Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance examined the luggage by x-ray detector, and found the luggage with the category one drugs

Investigation Process:

After notified by the officials of Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance, Aviation Police Bureau immediately reported to TDPO, and arrested Debbie Voulgaris in Taoyuan International Airport. Debbie Voulgaris was detained, but strenuously denied the crime, saying that she had no knowledge of the drugs. To secure the criminal investigation process,TDPO applied for detention,and Debbie Voulgaris has been detained in a Taipei Prison since her arrest on December 10,2023. The prosecution was brought to the Court on February 21, 2023.

Offenses Prosecuted:

Offenders of transporting Category one narcotics,

Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act 4.1

Offenders of illegally import or export controlled articles,

The Smuggling Penalty Act 2.1