British Pensioner Accused of Drug Smuggling Freed from Chilean Prison Due to Ill Health
An 80-year-old British pensioner, facing charges of smuggling approximately £200,000 worth of methamphetamine into Chile, has been released from a high-security prison on medical grounds. William 'Billy Boy' Eastment, originally from Wales, had been detained since May in Santiago 1 Penitentiary, where his health reportedly deteriorated significantly.
Eastment, a known enthusiast of the sport of bowls, suffered multiple bouts of pneumonia during his incarceration. These recurring illnesses exacerbated a pre-existing array of medical conditions, leading to a critical decline in his physical well-being.
Following a hearing at the Santiago Guarantee Court, where both the prosecution and defense concurred on the severe deterioration of Eastment's health, he was transferred from the prison. His legal counsel, Macarena Vial, presented a compelling case to the court, detailing the gravity of his condition.
"He is in a very critical health situation, with chronic problems that have been severely aggravated in Santiago 1," Vial stated. "He is a person requiring care, basically. He has a chronic lung disease, a colostomy that poses a constant risk of infection, and a series of other problems."
The lawyer further elaborated on the complexities of managing Eastment's colostomy. "He has a hernia right below his colostomy, which requires surgery and means he has to use special bags. They are expensive, must be brought from abroad, and the prison doesn't provide them. Every time his supply runs out, he hasn't had the medical supplies to contain the waste, constantly exposing himself to the risk of infection."
The logistical challenges in obtaining these essential medical supplies were significant. Vial explained, "Obtaining colostomy bags has been quite complex. The family had to transfer funds to the embassy, and from there they bought them and sent them to Santiago. It's a very difficult coordination because you have to coordinate with the Gendarmerie in a prison that is overwhelmed."
During his time in custody, Eastment experienced a substantial weight loss, reportedly shedding over three stone. This physical decline, coupled with his medical needs, led his lawyer to argue that the risk of him absconding was minimal. "Today, he is practically no longer self-sufficient; the risk of flight is minimal," Vial asserted.
Under the court's ruling, Eastment will now be under house arrest at a shelter located in western Santiago. This arrangement, facilitated with the support of Chile's Public Criminal Defence Office, will ensure he receives daily care and continuous supervision. "He will be able to access his treatments, and they will provide him with the medications he needs. It was a big effort, but it turned out well," Vial expressed, highlighting the successful outcome of the legal proceedings.
Throughout his detention, Eastment grappled with significant language barriers, frequently relying on fellow inmates for assistance with communication. Vial shared insights into his social and emotional struggles:
- Initial Support: "For the first six or eight months, he was with someone who spoke native English, and they formed a very nice friendship. After that, he was more alone."
- Emotional Fluctuations: "At first, he went through some very difficult times because he didn't see much of a way out. But we've tried to support him and give him some hope that this isn't permanent."
- Building Connections: Despite the isolation, Eastment managed to foster relationships within the prison. "He's someone who inspires compassion; many people have taken care of him."
- Current State: "Right now, he's in the best condition I've seen him in since he was arrested, but it's still a very fragile condition."
The case against Eastment began in May of the previous year when Chilean authorities reportedly discovered a significant quantity of methamphetamine, valued at approximately £200,000, concealed within his luggage.
According to Sergio Paredes, the head of the PDI anti-narcotics unit at Santiago airport, Eastment claimed he was given the suitcase by an unknown individual in Mexico just before boarding his flight. "He alleged he had been deceived," Paredes stated following the arrest on May 26.
Eastment's account to the authorities detailed a purported promise of a substantial prize for delivering the suitcase to its intended destination. "He claimed he had been promised a prize of £3.7 million for delivering the suitcase to its final destination - and was even carrying a rudimentary certificate referring to the prize," Paredes added. The officer also noted Eastment's initial plan: "He told us he was going to spend the night in Santiago and fly to Australia the next day."
Eastment has consistently maintained his innocence, asserting that he was the victim of an elaborate scam. He has informed prosecutors that he believed he was communicating with individuals associated with the International Monetary Fund, who subsequently instructed him to travel abroad regarding an alleged inheritance.
His lawyer further elaborated on the alleged deception: "In these emails, a person named Carolina, whose surname he does not remember, informed him that one of his relatives in New Zealand had died and that in order to access that person's inheritance, he had to travel to Auckland, New Zealand, to sign certain documents at a public notary's office." This narrative suggests a sophisticated plot designed to exploit the pensioner.
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