Photo: New Zealander pensioner charged with smuggling cocaine into Australia claims the bag was given to him by two Nigerian men

smuggling charges after six kilograms of
cocaine was found in his bag. He claimed the
bag was given to him by two Nigerian men in
Brazil who promised to share huge amount of
money with him.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald , 66-
year-old Roy Arbon was chasing a large sum of
money" a woman offered him if he made a two-
day trip to South America. He paid $4000 for
flights to meet the two Nigerian men in Brazil
who gave him the bag he later took to Perth,
which he thought contained only clothing but
was lined with cocaine. He was arrested by
Australian police on arrival.
Arbon made a brief court appearance in Perth
Magistrates Court on Thursday, April 1 via video
link from Casuarina, where he has remained
since his arrest.
Supporters insist Mr Arbon, a beekeeper and
alpine rescuer who helped in some of New
Zealand’s worst disasters, is susceptible to
scammers who have siphoned thousands of
dollars from him before.
Macilquham is one of several friends who
believe Arbon was duped into taking the drugs
to Australia.
"He's shocked and stunned. He said he
looked through the bag, checked it out
and there was nothing," he said.
He pointed to a widely-reported email scam last
year in which a West Cost man lost $200,000.
The victim was Arbon. It was proceeds from the
sale of his home.
"It shows his mental state and how he
thinks...he 'd be very easy to con,"
Macilquhan added. "I do not believe he
has done this knowingly whatsoever."
The matter was adjourned for a committal
mention on July 6 in the District Court, where Mr
Arbon will enter a plea and either be sentenced
or receive a trial date. His lawyer indicated Mr
Arbon could apply for bail before then.