A 91-year-old retired surgeon who claims he was duped into importing almost five kilograms of cocaine inside soap bars has had his bail continued.
Police say Sydney man Victor Twartz was "legitimately scammed" by an organised crime syndicate who befriended him via email and gained his trust before luring him overseas.
They are warning all Australians to be wary of offers that sound too good to be true but could end up turning them into inadvertent drug mules.
Twartz was returning to Australia from New Delhi on July 8 when he was caught allegedly carrying 27 bars of soap, filled with about 4.5kg of cocaine.
The Epping man has been charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Twartz appeared briefly at Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday, dressed in a three-piece tweed suit.
He did not enter a plea and his bail was continued.
Asked outside the court if he was taken advantage of, Twartz said: "Always, always."
The matter will return to court for mention in October.
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