A Melbourne woman’s first international flight was not to a tropical beach, but to visit her mother in a foreign prison. Debbie Voulgaris, 58, serving a 15-year term for drug smuggling, was caught at Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan on December 10, 2023. Ms Voulgaris denies knowing the drugs were there, claiming she was set up by scammers. Despite her innocence plea, her children, including daughter Maria, regularly journey to Taiwan to see her.
Due to a no-communication order, her children were initially unable to visit her. Now allowed, they make frequent trips. During visits, they provide fresh food, navigating the restrictions of prison rules.
Maria shared their story online, highlighting the support from locals and the challenges of separation. Ms Voulgaris shares a cell and limited 15-minute conversations with her family through a glass window.
Allegations suggest she was part of a drug trafficking group, tricked into carrying drugs in hidden luggage compartments. Her ex-husband’s involvement in an alleged scam adds further complexity to the case.
