‘Bloody innocent’: Ex-husband speaks out after Aussie mum accused of smuggling 7kg of drugs into Taiwan

An Australian mother of five has been accused of smuggling 7kg of drugs into Taiwan. Her ex-husband claims she’s innocent.

An Australian mother of five is facing the death penalty after she was accused of smuggling 7kg of drugs in Taiwan. However her ex-husband claims she is “bloody innocent”.

Debbie Voulgaris, 57, was arrested at Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport in December after she was allegedly found carrying 7kg of category one drugs, including heroin and cocaine, in black plastic bags inside a suitcase.

Police allege Ms Voulgaris agreed to transport the drugs, which they allege she received in Malaysia, in exchange for $US1800 ($2700), as well as accommodation and transport costs.

In documents submitted to court, Taoyuan District Prosecutors allege Ms Voulgaris was part of a “drug transport syndicate”.

The prosecution claims Ms Voulgaris initially “vehemently denied” any knowledge of the drugs before later claiming her ex-husband was behind the scheme, according to court documents viewed by other media outlets.

Debbie Voulgaris was allegedly found to be carrying 7kg of category one drugs, including heroin and cocaine. Picture: Change.org

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Ms Voulgaris’ ex-husband said this was false and vehemently denied any involvement in the drug trade.

He claimed the mother of five “hasn’t done anything wrong” and the pair were set up.

“She is bloody innocent!” he told the publication.

“We don’t know anything about bloody drugs and have never seen or touched them in our lives!”

Mr Voulgaris, who is based in Melbourne and runs a home loan company, said he and his ex were scammed by a group of criminals who posed as overseas investors.

He claimed he met the group over a decade ago but they were recently looking into an investment.

“They wanted to invest. I sent $3 million out of my money,” he claimed.

“When I found out (about her arrest), I tried to get in contact with them but they switched off their phones”.

Police allege Ms Voulgaris picked up the drugs in Malaysia. Picture: Taiwan's Aviation Police

Ms Voulgaris’s lawyer, Leon Huang, earlier told the ABC the 57-year-old claims she “had no idea of what’s placed inside and under her luggage”.

“There is a hidden compartment and she wasn’t aware of that.”

The lawyer said it was “essential” Ms Voulgaris’s ex-husband took to the stand in Taiwan as he was the only person who could confirm her claims.

Ms Voulgaris could face a minimum five years or life in jail if found guilty. She also faces the prospect of the death penalty.

Mr Huang told the outlet Ms Voulgaris had confessed early – while still maintaining she didn’t know about the drugs – which could be considered in her favour during sentencing.

“If the court finds someone worthy of sympathy, like Debbie’s case, typically, they would not want to offer the option of death sentence.”

Taiwan’s Constitutional Court also ruled last year that imposing a life sentence or the death penalty for people convicted of selling narcotics is partly unconstitutional.

The 57-year-old was arrested at Taoyuan International Airport in December. Picture: Taiwan's Aviation Police

The drugs had a street value of about $1.25 million, according to Chen Po-chuan from the Second Investigation Team of the bureau’s Criminal Investigation Brigade.

Mr Po-chuan alleged Ms Voulgaris initially claimed she was in Taiwan on a holiday, according to the ABC.

He said police officers had been sent to her hotel to see if anyone would collect the drugs, but no one turned up.

Ms Voulgaris’s case is due back in court in August and she has been prohibited from contacting relatives. An application for her release while awaiting trial has also been denied.

In a statement, Taoyuan District Prosecutor’s Office confirmed representatives from the Australian Office in Taipei were allowed to visit her in prison.

A spokesperson from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told the ABC consular assistance was being provided to a detained Australian woman in Taiwan, however, they could not provide further details due to privacy concerns.

An online petition, created to support Ms Voulgaris, describes her as having a kind-hearted woman.

“Anyone who knows her or has met her, understands the pure, kind heart she has,” it read.

“She is a mother to five children and she could be facing a death penalty or life in prison.”