Latest news with #DebbieVoulgaris
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Maria thought her first overseas trip would be to a tropical paradise – instead, she ended up flying to a hellish prison to feed her mum behind bars
A Melbourne woman has revealed the heartbreak of taking her first international flight not to a tropical beach holiday she once imagined - but instead to visit her mother in a foreign prison. Debbie Voulgaris, 58, is serving 15 years for drug smuggling after being caught with Class A drugs worth $1.9million at Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan on December 10, 2023. Now Ms Voulgaris's daughter Maria and her siblings make regular trips to Taiwan to spend time with her after she narrowly avoided the death penalty. The mother-of-five had never been in trouble with the law and initially 'vehemently denied' knowing the drugs were there, later pleading guilty in a bid to avoid being executed. Ms Voulgaris still claims she is innocent and believes she was set up by African scammers who were communicating with her ex-husband. For the first eight months she was locked away, her children were not allowed to see her due to a no-communication order, but once the ban was lifted, they made the journey they never imagined taking. 'I always assumed my first international flight would be a flight for a family holiday, and unfortunately that wasn't the case,' Maria said. 'Instead, it was a direct eight-hour flight to reunite with my mother after being held on a communication ban for eight months. 'Now that the communication ban has been off for a year, my siblings and I try our best to visit our mum as much as we possibly can.' Ms Voulgaris shares a cell with 10 other women and is allowed visitors on weekdays. They can only see her through a soundproof glass window, with conversations taking place on a phone. Each meeting lasts just 15 minutes. Maria said she and her siblings always bring food, waking early to buy fresh fruit and meat from local markets. 'First things first, we take it upon ourselves to organise mum's food,' she explained in a social media video. 'Each prisoner is granted and permitted two kilos worth of food a day. Before each visit, my brother would take it upon himself to wake up early to go visit any markets and stores to ensure that my mum gets the best quality of fruits and meat.' Maria praised the Taiwanese locals she has met on her visits, who left her 'in awe' of their kindness. 'Who knew that you would meet someone one day and the next, upon your arrival to Australia, they would be visiting your mother, feeding your mother, clothing your mother, all for the cost of nothing but pure kindness,' she said. She described her mother's ordeal as 'a story of deep betrayal, a story that haunts me daily' but said she was determined to be open with the thousands who follow her online about what goes on during prison visits. 'Watching my mum go through so much pain and suffering hasn't been easy, and having her oceans away hasn't been something that's easy to accept,' Maria said. 'But when this is the type of love you are fed daily, even from behind a prison cell, when we're only permitted contact twice a month, yet this is the love that still reaches me, that's a love worth holding on and fighting for.' Taiwan police alleged Ms Voulgaris joined a drug trafficking group, which intentionally planned to smuggle the drugs across Asia. According to the allegations, the criminal group agreed with Ms Voulgaris to pay a reward of just US$1,800 (AU$2,700), along with the costs of accommodation and transport. They claim the group gave her luggage to take on the flight that secretly contained around US$1.25million (AU$1.88million) worth of heroin and cocaine, which was picked up by the airport's X-ray screening. Ms Voulgaris claims she took the trip as a favour to her ex-husband, John Voulgaris, who was unwittingly mixed up in an African scam and has said she did not believe he would intentionally involve her in a crime. On June 10, News+ alleged that Ms Voulgaris' husband was caught up in a 'black money scam' when he asked his ex-wife to travel. The scam presents victims with a narrative that a huge amount of money has been physically stained in some way, then victims are instructed to retrieve money-cleaning chemicals in exchange for a portion of the cash. Instead, drugs are often hidden in secret compartments of the suitcases they are given. The program alleged that Mr Voulgaris flew to London and Laos to pick up suitcases that were brought to a hotel in Melbourne. Mr Voulgaris then allegedly sent Ms Voulgaris to retrieve the next suitcase. 'Brother, I'm sending my ex-wife. Better nothing goes wrong,' a message sent from Mr Voulgaris to the alleged scammer's account read. Ms Voulgaris travelled to Laos twice to pick up suitcases, but again the money cleaning failed. Mr Voulgaris has not been charged with any crime and has previously said he and his ex-wife had been set up. He previously denied the allegations to Daily Mail Australia, declaring his ex-wife 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 said in May last year. During the trial in August last year Ms Voulgaris' lawyer Leon Huang said it was 'essential' her ex took the stand as he was the only person who could confirm her claims. However, Mr Voulgaris did not respond to a subpoena ordering him to give evidence at Taoyuan District Court, and was a no-show at his wife's hearing.
Courier-Mail
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
Huge blow for Channel 10 as 10 News+ attracts less viewers than The Project
Don't miss out on the headlines from TV. Followed categories will be added to My News. Network 10 received yet another disappointing blow after it's replacement for The Project scored less viewers in its timeslot than the axed show regularly attracted. 10 News+ had received an intense marketing blitz over the last two weeks as the network made its bid to win over new viewers with their promise of putting 'the truth first'. Sadly for Network 10, that promise wasn't enough to win over viewers, with a mere 291,000 tuning in on Monday evening. To put those numbers into perspective, 7News attracted 1.5 million viewers, with 9News close behind with 1.45 million. 10 News+ failed to attract many viewers on Monday night. Picture: 10 X SUBSCRIBER ONLY What really rubs salt in the wound is that the final episode of The Project scored almost 500,000 viewers on Friday evening. After shedding almost half its audience, it remains to be seen whether the network's gamble of cancelling The Project was the right decision. Viewers delivered their verdict on social media on Monday evening, with many labelling 10 News+ a 'Temu ACA'. 'You replaced the project with a Temu ACA not seeing @theprojecttv is incredibly depressing. 10news+ sucks!' remarked one viewer. The show attracted less viewers than The Project. Picture: 10. Another complained about the format of the new show, tweeting: 'Please no more long investigation reports it's 6pm! Much too heavy, much too serious, American looking set and awkward presentation.' 'This is proper @Channel7 style commercial JUNK. It's like watching a cross between Fox News and Anchorman. Why the silly news voices!? questioned another disgruntled viewer. One however, praised the show's lead story on convicted drug smuggler Debbie Voulgaris, who gave an exclusive interview from a Taiwan prison. 'Loving 10 news +, strong launch story. Is this the new Schapelle Corby story we all need to know about. 10 news should be very proud,' they wrote. Another added: 'That was a decent first show'. The news show's interview with the Prime Minister also sparked some viewer backlash, with journalists Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace being called out for their interviewing techniques, which saw the PM interrupted multiple times. 'Some ridiculous questions and hectoring tone from both hosts in this very disappointing interview with the PM,' ranted one. 'You replaced #theprojecttv for this tabloid junk? I'm turning this off!' complained another. 'This is trash, so dry and bland. Time for the project 2.0 and a game show in a prime time slot up against Home and Away. Good luck!' tweeted a third unimpressed viewer. While a fourth added: 'Oh dear. I thought I would give 10 News Plus a go. I feel like we have regressed 20 years!' Originally published as Huge blow for Channel 10 as 10 News+ attracts less viewers than The Project
News.com.au
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
‘Temu ACA': 10 News+ roasted by viewers
Channel 10's replacement for The Project has been roasted by viewers during its debut episode on Monday. Despite Network 10 bagging an interview with the Prime Minister in a bid to win viewers over, it seems the new show has fallen flat with those watching at home. As it aired on Monday night, many took to X to share their views on The Project's replacement, and sadly for Network 10, most opinions appeared overwhelmingly negative, with some labelling 10 News+ a knockoff of rival network shows like A Current Affair. 'Anyone else bored so far? #10newsplus,' tweeted one viewer, with another agreeing: 'Same. Disappointing.' 'You replaced the project with a Temu ACA not seeing @theprojecttv is incredibly depressing. 10news+ sucks!' remarked a third viewer. Another complained about the format of the new show, tweeting: 'Please no more long investigation reports it's 6pm!' 'This is proper @Channel7 style commercial JUNK. It's like watching a cross between Fox News and Anchorman. Why the silly news voices!? questioned another disgruntled viewer. 'This is like ACA. Going to peoples houses to talk & them avoiding the cameras. Lots of nodding,' commented another viewer. One however, praised the show's lead story on convicted drug smuggler Debbie Voulgaris, who gave an exclusive interview from a Taiwan prison. 'Loving 10 news +, strong launch story. Is this the new Schapelle Corby story we all need to know about. 10 news should be very proud,' they wrote. The show's interview with the Prime Minister also sparked some viewer backlash, with journalists Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace being called out for their interviewing techniques, which saw the PM interrupted multiple times. 'Some ridiculous questions and hectoring tone from both hosts in this very disappointing interview with the PM,' ranted one. 'You replaced #theprojecttv for this tabloid junk??I'm turning this off!' complained another. 'This is trash, so dry and bland. Time for the project 2.0 and a game show in a prime time slot up against Home and Away. Good luck!' tweeted a third unimpressed viewer. While a fourth added: Oh dear. I thought I would give 10 News Plus a go. I feel like we have regressed 20 years! An inauthentic painfully choreographed attempt at current affairs!' Meanwhile, it was an emotional final episode of The Project on Channel 10 on Friday after over 16 years on-screen with surprise appearances from Carrie Bickmore and Lisa Wilkinson. Regular hosts Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris, Sam Taunton and Georgie Tunny bid farewell to viewers during an emotional final episode. 'I can't actually look at you all, I'm so sorry, because you've just been an absolute dream to work with,' said Tunny as she broke down. 'There can be a lot said about the media industry and it's cat fights and all of this, but this has been a family from the beginning and I know that you'll still in my life.'
Perth Now
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Aussie mum breaks silence from Taiwan jail
Television's widely anticipated replacement for The Project has kicked off with an exclusive interview with convicted Australian drug smuggler Debbie Voulgaris from a Taiwanese prison. 10 News+, which will air from 6pm on weeknights, promises viewers 'explosive' revelations in the case for its first episode. Ms Voulgaris, a Melbourne mum-of-five, speaks from an overcrowded women's prison in Taipei and states emphatically that she is innocent of the allegations that have put her behind bars for 15 years. Ms Voulgaris was caught with 4kg of heroin and a small amount of cocaine at Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan in late 2023. She pleaded guilty to the charge and in late 2024 she was sentenced to 15 years in prison. But she has maintained that she brought drugs in unknowingly. Now, appearing on the current affairs program helmed by journalists Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace, she pleads with two of her children via a video call to help get her back home to Australia. Debbie Voulgaris says she is innocent of her drug smuggling conviction. 10 News Credit: Supplied 'I'm innocent. I am innocent,' she says through tears. 'Please help me to get home as soon as possible. 'To my angels, that's all I can say.' The program claims to have evidence that supports Ms Voulgaris' claim of innocence. 'She confessed in court in Taiwan, didn't she?' Mr Hitchcock in a clip of the program seen by NewsWire. 'Well, prepare yourself. The truth is explosive.' In earlier promotional material, Mr Hitchcock and Ms Brace promise viewers the show will 'put the truth first'. Mr Hitchcock has also claimed Monday night's episode would be 'an absolute blockbuster'. 'It's a story 60 Minutes, Four Corners and Spotlight would kill for,' he told Stellar Magazine. The Project ran for 16 years, ending its run with a farewell show last Friday night. Mr Aly, in an emotional tribute, said the show had 'reflected the best of this country'. Journalists Denham Hitchcock and Walkley Award-winning journalist Amelia Brace will helm the new current affairs show. 10 News Credit: Supplied 'Could you do a prime time commercial news show that hooked its audience by playing with them instead of scaring them,' he said. 'That didn't trade on demonising groups of people who have no platform to respond? 'Not the done thing. Well, we done the thing.' The Project launched in 2009 and Friday's finale was its 4504th episode. Australian and international celebrities sent in supportive farewell video messages, with thanks and well wishes coming from G Flip, Robert Irwin, Jess Mauboy, Andy Lee, Pete Murray, Dannii Minogue, Katy Perry, Guy Sebastian and Shane Jacobson. The Project's longest-serving host, Carrie Bickmore, was close to tears thanking everyone she crossed paths with over 13 years. Ms Bickmore left the show to devote herself fully to fundraising efforts. Channel 10 is owned by US entertainment giant Paramount Global.
News.com.au
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Convicted drug smuggler Debbie Voulgaris gives exclusive interview to 10 News+ from Taiwan prison
Television's widely anticipated replacement for The Project has kicked off with an exclusive interview with convicted Australian drug smuggler Debbie Voulgaris from a Taiwanese prison. 10 News+, which will air from 6pm on weeknights, promises viewers 'explosive' revelations in the case for its first episode. Ms Voulgaris, a Melbourne mum-of-five, speaks from an overcrowded women's prison in Taipei and states emphatically that she is innocent of the allegations that have put her behind bars for 15 years. Ms Voulgaris was caught with 4kg of heroin and a small amount of cocaine at Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan in late 2023. She pleaded guilty to the charge and in late 2024 she was sentenced to 15 years in prison. But she has maintained that she brought drugs in unknowingly. Now, appearing on the current affairs program helmed by journalists Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace, she pleads with two of her children via a video call to help get her back home to Australia. 'I'm innocent. I am innocent,' she says through tears. 'Please help me to get home as soon as possible. 'To my angels, that's all I can say.' The program claims to have evidence that supports Ms Voulgaris' claim of innocence. 'She confessed in court in Taiwan, didn't she?' Mr Hitchcock in a clip of the program seen by NewsWire. 'Well, prepare yourself. The truth is explosive.' In earlier promotional material, Mr Hitchcock and Ms Brace promise viewers the show will 'put the truth first'. Mr Hitchcock has also claimed Monday night's episode would be 'an absolute blockbuster'. 'It's a story 60 Minutes, Four Corners and Spotlight would kill for,' he told Stellar Magazine. The Project ran for 16 years, ending its run with a farewell show last Friday night. Mr Aly, in an emotional tribute, said the show had 'reflected the best of this country'. 'Could you do a prime time commercial news show that hooked its audience by playing with them instead of scaring them,' he said. 'That didn't trade on demonising groups of people who have no platform to respond? 'Not the done thing. Well, we done the thing.' The Project launched in 2009 and Friday's finale was its 4504th episode. Australian and international celebrities sent in supportive farewell video messages, with thanks and well wishes coming from G Flip, Robert Irwin, Jess Mauboy, Andy Lee, Pete Murray, Dannii Minogue, Katy Perry, Guy Sebastian and Shane Jacobson. The Project's longest-serving host, Carrie Bickmore, was close to tears thanking everyone she crossed paths with over 13 years. Ms Bickmore left the show to devote herself fully to fundraising efforts.
