Opinion & Analysis

Author: anonymDate: 2024-11-21 12:28:36

The defendant, Donna Nelson, a purported drug trafficker, journeyed abroad to rendezvous with potential romantic partners prior to an alleged romantic swindle, the court heard.

A court sketch of Donna Nelson at the start of her trial for alleged drug importation

A Perth resident, a grandmother, asserted in court that a deceitful romantic partner manipulated her into transporting two kilograms of methamphetamine to Japan. She had previously encountered romantic prospects in other countries. Donna Nelson was apprehended in January 2023 at Narita Airport near Tokyo; narcotics were concealed in her luggage. She has remained incarcerated at Chiba prison since her arrest. Her legal representatives stated that Ms. Nelson collected the suitcase in Laos for a romantic interest, 'Kelly,' with whom she'd communicated online for two years. The court heard that the individual informed Ms. Nelson that he was a prosperous fashion entrepreneur with global outlets and was too occupied to retrieve the luggage himself, which he claimed contained fashion samples.

The court learned that Kelly expressed apprehension about the safe arrival of the items in Japan via mail, thus urging Ms. Nelson to retrieve them en route to their first meeting. "Did you knowingly transport this luggage, aware of its contents?" questioned defense attorney Nishida Rie through an interpreter. "No, that's not true," Ms. Nelson responded. "Did you transport the luggage knowing it might contain illicit substances?" Ms. Nishida pressed. "That's inaccurate," Ms. Nelson replied.

'He seemed like a gentleman'

Evidence presented included intimate video calls and numerous text exchanges between Ms. Nelson and Kelly, detailing shared interests and Kelly's business affairs. Ms. Nelson testified to prior encounters with two online romantic partners from overseas – one from New Jersey and another from Oklahoma.

One of her offspring also found a spouse online while that individual lived in the UK. Ms. Nelson stated she desired a committed relationship, and Kelly pledged eternal love. "I felt complimented and delighted," Ms. Nelson recounted. "He appeared to be a gentleman; he spoke softly." Kelly, identified as a Nigerian national, remains at large and is not involved in the legal proceedings. The court heard Ms. Nelson sought a partner of African descent, anticipating shared interests and experiences. "Prejudice...family...cultural matters," Ms. Nelson elaborated.

Share Accused drug smuggler Donna Nelson travelled overseas to meet other romantic interests before alleged 'love scam', trial told A man squats on top of a wall, holding a camera to his face. He is almost silhouetted By James Oaten Topic:Courts 1h ago 1 hours ago A court sketch of a woman with dark skin in a suit flanked by two police officer. A court sketch of Donna Nelson at the start of her trial for alleged drug importation. (Supplied: Yoshitaka Enomoto) In short: Perth grandmother Donna Nelson is accused of importing two kilograms of methamphetamine into Japan. She claims she was the victim of a love scam, and had previously travelled overseas to meet other romantic interests. What's next? The trial is continuing east of Tokyo, with a verdict expected in early December. Link copied Share article A Perth grandmother who claims a love scammer tricked her into taking two kilograms of methamphetamine into Japan has told a court she had met romantic interests overseas before. Donna Nelson was arrested in January 2023 at Narita Airport, near Tokyo, after drugs were found hidden in a false bottom of her suitcase. She has been detained at Chiba prison ever since. Her defence lawyers have told her criminal trial in Japan Ms Nelson picked up the suitcase in Laos for a love interest named Kelly she'd been speaking to online for two years. The court heard the man told Ms Nelson he was a successful fashion designer with shops across the world and was too busy to get the suitcase, which he said contained fashion samples. A headshot of a woman in front of a textured orange backdrop Ms Nelson said she was unaware of the drugs in her suitcase. (Supplied: Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service) The trial was told Kelly did not trust the items would arrive safely in Japan via the post, so he encouraged Ms Nelson to pick them up as she transited to Japan to meet him for the first time. "Is it true you transported this suitcase knowing what was inside?" Defence lawyer Nishida Rie asked through a translator. "No, it's not true," Ms Nelson responded. "Is it true you transported the suitcase knowing there might be illegal substances?" Ms Nishida asked. "That's incorrect," Ms Nelson said. 'He seemed like a gentleman' The court has heard of romantic video calls and extensive text messages between Ms Nelson and Kelly, in which they discussed their shared interests and Kelly's fashion business. Ms Nelson told the court she had previously met two online love interests overseas, one from New Jersey and the other in Oklahoma, in the United States. Perth grandmother's Japan drug trial to start Photo shows A photo on a table showing Donna Nelson with her arm around her eldest daughter Ash and another daughter off to the sideA photo on a table showing Donna Nelson with her arm around her eldest daughter Ash and another daughter off to the side Her daughters say she was lonely and vulnerable. Now Donna Nelson is about to stand trial in Japan on drug smuggling charges her children believe arose out of a romance scam. One of her daughters also met her husband online while he resided in the UK. Ms Nelson told the court she was seeking a serious relationship, and Kelly had promised to love her forever. "I was flattered and happy," Ms Nelson said. "He seemed liked a gentleman. He was softly spoken." Kelly has been described as a Nigerian man, but his whereabouts is unknown and he is not part of the legal proceedings. The court heard Ms Nelson was seeking a "black man" for a partner, as the pair would have shared interests and experiences. "Discrimination … family … cultural issues," Ms Nelson explained. A court sketch of a woman with dark skin sitting in front of Japanese court officials. Perth grandmother Donna Nelson is on trial in Japan over drug smuggling allegations. (Supplied: Yoshitaka Enomoto) A teary Ms Nelson earlier told the court her former husband left her while she was pregnant with their fifth child. Ms Nelson has been unable to speak directly with her family since her arrest, and the grandmother's evidence today was the first time her daughters could hear speak extensively. "This will be the first time in 22 months that mum will be able to give her version of what happened," daughter Kristal Hilaire said outside of court. "I am hoping that the judges can see that she has been a victim of this love scam and that she was not aware at all of what was in that suitcase. "I hope by having her daughters here present that we empower her to be that strong outspoken woman that she always has been." The trial is continuing, with a verdict expected in early December.