Australian mother Debbie Voulgaris, 57, is facing the death penalty in Taiwan after being caught carrying a stash of cocaine hidden in her suitcase. The drugs were found in black plastic bags inside her luggage at Taoyuan International Airport in December. Voulgaris initially denied having any knowledge of the drug but later claimed her ex-husband John was behind the scheme. Her lawyer, Leon Huang, said it was essential for her ex to testify as he was the only person who could confirm her claims.
Under Taiwan's strict legal system, capital punishment remains legal despite attempts to repeal it. Executions are currently carried out by shooting with a handgun, and condemned prisoners are sedated, placed face down on a mattress, and shot three times through the heart. If the prisoner has opted to donate their organs, they are executed with a single bullet to the back of the head instead.
Voulgaris was allegedly given category one drugs in Malaysia around December 10 before flying to Taiwan. She was paid $1,800 in addition to her accommodation and transport costs to transport the drugs. The drugs had a street value of about $1.25 million.
Voulgaris has been detained in a Taiwanese prison since her arrest. Her lawyer, Leon Huang, described her as a "good-natured person" who "believed people easily" and was used as a drug "mule." Huang said that because her client admitted guilt early, while still maintaining she didn't know about the drugs, she might avoid the death penalty.
Taoyuan District Prosecutors alleged in court documents that Voulgaris was part of a "drug transport syndicate." The defendant claimed that the co-conspirator, John, who instructed her to bring category one narcotics to Taiwan, is her ex-husband, indicating a close relationship.
Under Taiwan's strict legal system, capital punishment remains legal despite attempts to repeal it. Executions are currently carried out by shooting with a handgun, and condemned prisoners are sedated, placed face down on a mattress, and shot three times through the heart. If the prisoner has opted to donate their organs, they are executed with a single bullet to the back of the head instead.
Voulgaris was allegedly given category one drugs in Malaysia around December 10 before flying to Taiwan. She was paid $1,800 in addition to her accommodation and transport costs to transport the drugs. The drugs had a street value of about $1.25 million.
Voulgaris has been detained in a Taiwanese prison since her arrest. Her lawyer, Leon Huang, described her as a "good-natured person" who "believed people easily" and was used as a drug "mule." Huang said that because her client admitted guilt early, while still maintaining she didn't know about the drugs, she might avoid the death penalty.
Taoyuan District Prosecutors alleged in court documents that Voulgaris was part of a "drug transport syndicate." The defendant claimed that the co-conspirator, John, who instructed her to bring category one narcotics to Taiwan, is her ex-husband, indicating a close relationship.
