Elderly UK couple caught in cruise ship cocaine bust, say they were 'tricked' into smuggling

An elderly UK couple busted with nine kilograms of cocaine on a cruise ship say they were "tricked" into smuggling.

Roger and Sue Clarke, both in their 70s, were arrested in December after the cocaine was found in their luggage, when the ship arrived in Portugal, The Telegraph reports. But they're denying responsibility, and are expected to plead not guilty as their trial begins.

Court documents reportedly say that within two years, the couple spent NZ$35,000 on travel.

The documents also revealed that in Norway in 2010, they were convicted and imprisoned for smuggling 240kg of cannabis resin, The Telegraph reports.

The trial began in Portugal on Monday (local time). If convicted, the couple faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison.

Newshub.