A 91-year-old retired oral surgeon has been charged with importing cocaine hidden in soap into Australia.

Victor Twartz, of Sydney, faces a potential life prison sentence if he is convicted of importing 4.5kg (10lb) of the drug into the country on a flight from India.

His arrest has prompted the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to warn people about the dangers of being tricked into becoming drug mules.

Twartz told the ABC's 7.30 current affairs programme he had met people in New Delhi whom he had befriended online.

He told the programme that when he was about to board his plane to return to Sydney he was handed a bag that he was told contained gifts for someone in Australia.

After he landed at Sydney Airport, a search of Twartz's luggage found 27 packages of soap which tested positive for cocaine.

Twartz appeared in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday charged with importing a commercial quantity of cocaine on July 8th.

He was released on bail and will appear in court next on October 6th. As he left court, a reporter asked the 91-year-old if he had been taken advantage of.

Twartz replied: "Always, always."

Police have not said whether Twartz was an unwitting drug courier. But Australian Federal Police manager Wayne Buchhorn warned that bringing drugs unwittingly into Australia could result in charges.

"Claiming ignorance of drugs hidden inside your luggage does not automatically mean you will not face criminal charges," he said.

"People can expect they will be charged if they knowingly bring drugs into Australia, or are reckless or wilfully blind to the fact that there could be narcotics concealed inside their luggage or items they are carrying."