Aussie Trio Arrested For Suspected Drug Trafficking In South America

Facing lengthy jail terms


Article heading image for Aussie Trio Arrested For Suspected Drug Trafficking In South America

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Three Australians have been arrested in Ecuador on suspicion of smuggling up to 10 kilograms of cocaine.

The two men and one woman from Melbourne were arrested on January 29 in Guayaquil.

The trio — who are facing a decade or more of imprisonment — are insisting that the drugs were planted in their bags when they checked in at an airport.

One of the men is Youssef El Houli, according to documents seen by Fairfax Media.

The identities of the other two can not be confirmed, but it’s thought the woman is El Houli’s girlfriend.

The maximum penalty for possessing more than five kilograms in Ecuador is 10-13 years of prison.

El Houli’s next court appearance is on April 4.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that three Australians detained in Ecuador have been offered consular assistance.

18 March 2017

Article by:

Melbourne National News




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