Ghana prisoner to return to UK

A UK man imprisoned in Ghana on a £79 million drug bust has won his battle to be returned to the UK.

Alan Hodgson, from Carway, has been fighting to clear his name ever since he was sentenced to 20 years hard labour in the West African country's notorious Nsawam Prison in 2004 for his alleged involvement in a major cocaine smuggling operation.

MP Adam Price welcomed the decision to transfer Mr Hodgson back to the UK, and praised the campaigning efforts of Mr Hodgson's family and friends. Mr Hodgson, a former carpenter for Carmarthenshire Council, was arrested after he flew to Ghana to see his uncle Kevin Gorman, who has lived in Ghana for the past 30 years, on January 4, 2004.

The day after arriving, the Ghanian drugs squad raided Mr Gorman's home, seizing 674kg of cocaine, worth around £79 million, from a cupboard hidden behind a mirror.

Sick

Mr Hodgson, who is 51, and his campaigners have always maintained he went to Ghana to give his uncle much-needed medication, and had no idea his uncle was involved with drugs.

Since being sentenced, Mr Hodgson's health has deteriorated rapidly. He has been sick with malaria, and struggles with partial numbness in his arms and chronic back pain.

Adam Price MP said: "I am delighted Alan and his family have finally had notification of his transfer back to the UK. Worrying

"I hope that will now be completed within the next four to six weeks.

"This has naturally been an extremely worrying time for all concerned, and it is a massive step forward to see Alan coming back to Britain.

"I have been in contact with the Foreign Office and the British Embassy to ensure the transfer takes place, and I am very pleased I have been able to help.

"Alan's family have been dedicated in their campaigning, and I know they are overjoyed by the news."

It is understood Alan will be transferred to Wandsworth prison in London, though it is not known whether further action will be taken to secure Alan's release on compassionate grounds.

Alan's close friend and long-time campaigner for his release, Meinir Jones, said she wanted to thank Mr Price.

She said: "Throughout this whole ordeal, Adam was the only one who believed us and has been so supportive. We owe him a huge thank you."

daniel.fisher@swwmedia.co.uk