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Breaking: Donna Nelson returns to Perth in international prisoner transfer

ABC News Australia •
October 23, 2026 • 10:03 AM
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Perth grandmother Donna Nelson, convicted of attempting to smuggle drugs into Japan, is back in Australia, according to official Japanese sources.

Breaking: Donna Nelson returns to Perth in international prisoner transfer

Donna Nelson has returned to Western Australia. ( Supplied: Australian Greens )

A Perth grandmother convicted of attempting to smuggle drugs into Japan has returned to Australia, official Japanese sources have confirmed.

The ABC understands Donna Nelson entered Western Australia under an international prisoner transfer.

The 60-year-old was arrested in January 2023 at Narita International Airport and charged with trying to import almost 2 kilograms of methamphetamine.

Donna Nelson was found guilty in 2024 of attempting to smuggle drugs into Japan. ( ABC News )

Ms Nelson was duped by a love scammer who paid for her trip and tricked her into carrying a bag filled with the illicit substance.

The drugs were found in the lining of her bag, and in December 2024 she was sentenced to six years in prison after being found guilty.

In October last year Ms Nelson abandoned her final avenue for appeal and shifted focus towards securing a prison transfer deal with Japanese authorities.

Ms Nelson has been in custody in Japan since her arrest more than three years ago.

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