Elderly couple lose appeal against drug convictions

PERTH - Australia's oldest drug traffickers have failed in an appeal against their convictions for possessing cannabis estimated to have been worth up to A$264,000 ($284,728).

World War II veteran David William Sidney Davies, 81, and his wife, Florence Gladys Davies, 77, now face the prospect of having their West Australian home seized under the state's proceeds of crime laws.

The pair, married for 58 years, had received suspended sentences. At their trial, the jury accepted the prosecution's case that the Davies had allowed their son, Tyssul Davies, to store the cannabis in their home.

Tyssul Davies subsequently pleaded guilty to possession of the 19kg of cannabis with intent to supply or sell.

The Davies appealed on the grounds that they could not be in possession of the drugs with intent to supply it to their son when Tyssul already possessed it.