In a recent statement, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) revealed it has identified a new trend whereby organised criminals target the #elderly with online #scams to coerce victims into working as drug mules to pay off their debts.

Over the last 12 months, the AFP has arrested 18 alleged drug mules on arrival in Australia, with some of them claiming they were travelling under the direction of international crime syndicates after falling victim to online financial scams.

Among the 18 arrests were some elderly United States nationals who were caught with 15kg of methamphetamine and 1.5kg of cocaine in their luggage and two Germans who were carrying 18kg of methamphetamine.

In those cases, the travellers told police they had flown into Zimbabwe, where the suitcases were allegedly provided to them.

Criminal syndicates, by their very nature, exploit vulnerable communities and will undertake whatever tactics necessary to import drugs into our country, AFP Commander Ms. Kate Ferry said in a media release on Sunday.