An elderly British couple accused of smuggling cocaine on a luxury cruise spent thousands of pounds on trips abroad - but court documents suggest they were unable to afford them.
Roger Clarke, 72, and his wife Sue, 71, claim they were tricked into smuggling 9kg (20lbs) of cocaine which was found in their luggage by Portuguese authorities last December. The retirees are facing up to 12 years in prison if convicted of drug trafficking at a trial in Lisbon.
Experts have valued the drugs haul at about £1m.
According to court papers, the pair went on exotic cruises costing nearly £18,000 over two years, despite living on £885 a month after paying rent.
They told investigators they were fooled into smuggling the drugs by a mystery businessman "of Jamaican origin" named Lee who had paid for their cruise.
Roger Clarke said Lee asked him to pick up "empty" new suitcases in St Lucia and buy exotic fruit which could be sold for a huge profit in the UK.
Full Story:
Retired British couple appear in court accused of smuggling £1m cocaine haul on cruise
Roger and Sue Clarke, who appeared in court in Portugal, say they were fooled into smuggling the drugs by a Jamaican businessman.
news.sky.com