Twartz’s arrest shows us organised crime syndicates are targeting the elderly to bring illegal drugs into Australia.
Last week, a 91-year-old retired surgeon from Sydney called Victor Twartz, was charged with the illegal drug trafficking of 4.5 kilograms of cocaine. He was arrested coming back to Australia from New Delhi on July 8 with the drugs – now known to have a street value of more than $1 million.
Twartz lives in a retirement village on the North Shore of Sydney and has no previous criminal record. He said he had been asked to bring the bag full of soaps back as “presents” and had no idea they were filled with drugs.
What Twartz’s arrest shows us is that criminals are targeting the elderly on the internet, grooming them to bring illegal drugs into Australia.
In the past two years alone, 40 Australians have been arrested on similar scams. Of the people dealt with by Australian courts of these types of crimes, two thirds were eventually cleared of wrongdoing, but usually after a lengthy stint in jail.
The story behind Twartz’s arrest is shocking and serves as a timely warning for elderly people everywhere. He had been contacted via email by people who claimed to be from the World Bank in Switzerland. They befriended him, gained his trust and then lured him overseas with an offer that Twartz’s family found ‘too good to be true.’
Groomed for the job
Twartz’s family talked to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and after talking with Twartz, the AFP warned him not to go overseas to meet these people. Twartz ignored the warning and kept emailing to these people until recently, they offered him a ‘financial inducement ‘ and he agreed to visit New Delhi.
The AFP then warned him again in New Delhi to be careful of these people’s motives. But Twartz stayed there for five days, before bringing the soap back to Australia. If convicted, he now faces life in prison.
Ignorance is not a defence
Commander Stewart from the AFP said the internet is making it easier for organised crime syndicates to groom elderly people such as Twartz for drug smuggling. He warned that ignorance is not a defence.
Twartz has said in his defence that the warnings from the AFP were too general. But he did say when he was at court: “Bring nothing back for anyone, no matter what one is promised or offered. Bringing anything will bring trouble,” he said.
After Twartz’s arrest, Commander Stewart from the AFP said:”There is certainly some evidence to suggest that this man was legitimately scammed by this group and exploited.
“There were warnings issued to him about his activities both here and overseas … but you can only provide people with certain warnings. At the end of the day they’ll make their own choices,” he added.
Commander Stewart said the internet is making it easier for organised crime syndicates to groom people, using social media to target vulnerable Australians, particularly the elderly and mentally ill.
Twartz’s matter will return to court for mention in October.
