Earlier this year, a trio from the US, including two elderly passengers, touched down in Sydney in with multiple suitcases and handbags.
Those bags were later detected to allegedly be containing 15kg of methamphetamine and 1.5 kg of cocaine.
The trio had flown into Zimbabwe, where they had received the suitcases, before making their way to Australia, they told police.
Watch the latest News on Channel 7 or stream for free on 7plus >>
The alleged drug mules told police they were travelling in hopes of recovering $773,000 ($US500,000) they had lost in a scam.
In another case, a 57-year-old Korean man was allegedly carrying 2.5kg of cocaine in his luggage.
He told police he had been scammed out of money and would be given more if he travelled to Belgium to sign paperwork.
He was then told he would be paid faster if he transported a bag to Australia.
He was arrested upon arrival in Sydney.
The alleged drug mules are part of a larger trend in which international crime syndicates coerce scam victims into carrying drugs across border to recoup their debts.
Since October last year, 18 alleged drug mules have been arrested, with some telling the Australian Federal Police (AFP) “they had been coerced into the role after they became victims of online financial scams.”
AFP Commander Kate Ferry said it was not surprising criminal syndicates were attempting to import drugs into Australia by any means possible.
“Criminal…
