The ex-husband of Australian mother-of-five, Debbie Voulgaris, who is accused of smuggling 7kg of cocaine and heroin into Taiwan, claims they were set up by drug traffickers.

Debbie Voulgaris, 57, was arrested at Taoyuan International Airport in December after the drugs were allegedly found in black plastic bags inside her suitcase.

Taiwanese police report that she initially denied knowledge of the drugs but later implicated her ex-husband, John Voulgaris.

Debbie Voulgaris remains in custody in Taiwan and is prohibited from contacting John, who is based in Melbourne. If convicted, she could face the death penalty under Taiwan’s strict drug laws.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the husband, referred to as John Voulgaris vehemently denied the allegations.

“She is bloody innocent!We have been set up! We don’t know anything about bloody drugs and have never seen or touched them in our lives!”

He explained that they were scammed by criminals posing as investors, leading to this predicament.

Debbie Voulgaris’ lawyer, Leon Huang, stressed the need for her ex-husband to testify, as he can corroborate her story.

Huang noted that Debbie was used as a drug mule without her knowledge and might avoid the death penalty due to her early admission of guilt.

Authorities allege Debbie was given the drugs in Malaysia before flying to Taiwan.

She was reportedly paid $1,800 plus accommodation and transport.

The drugs had a street value of $1.25 million.

The Taiwanese court documents suggest she was part of a drug transport syndicate and that her statements have been inconsistent.

Debbie Voulgaris has been denied visits from family but can communicate with her legal team and officials from the Australian Office in Taipei.

Her application for release was denied in March due to flight risk concerns. She will next appear in court in August, facing the possibility of life in prison or a minimum of five years if found guilty.

Debbie Voulgaris’ sister (wishes to keeps her full name private) who lives in Germany, contacted Neos Kosmos to share a plea towards the accused’s ex-husband John Kyriacou-Voulgaris to testify in the trial.

A change.org petition advocating for her release has garnered 3,000 signatures, highlighting her reputation as a kind-hearted mother of five.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance.