Australian Police have identified a new trend of drug dealers proving that they would just about do anything possible to get drugs into the country.
The Australian Border Police say serious organised criminals are now targeting the elderly in online scams to coerce the victims into working as drug mules to recoup their debts.
Since October last year, 18 alleged drug mules have been arrested with most of them saying they became victims of an online scam.
Police say most of the victims are elderly and under significant financial hardship with additional emotional trauma as a result of the scam.
The Australian Border Force Commander Susan Drennan says there has been a significant increase in drug traffic, especially going through the Sydney International Airport since the resumption of international travel.
"Our officers are highly skilled and have sophisticated technology at detecting illicit substances irrespective of how unassuming the person smuggling them may look," Commander Drennan said.
"We understand that this is an incredibly difficult situation for this vulnerable community who have been brought into this situation but we do need to ensure the Australian community is kept safe from the importation of dangerous drugs. I urge those in the community that are approached by criminal groups to seek the help of authorities, rather than resort to criminal activity themselves," she added.
