An elderly British man accused of being involved in international drug trafficking is set to have his case officially closed, allowing him to return to the UK promptly. William “Billy Boy” Eastment, who must arrange for his own airfare, may face challenges in financing the 14-hour journey back home. The 80-year-old, a retired heavy goods vehicle and bus fitter from Somerset, had been detained for nearly a year in a Chilean prison after being apprehended at the airport with methamphetamine valued at approximately £200,000 concealed in his luggage.

Following concerns about Eastment’s deteriorating health in prison, his legal team successfully pushed for the case to be closed on medical grounds. Having won his appeal for release, Eastment has been dealing with health issues, including recurrent pneumonia and underlying medical conditions. The focus now shifts to arranging funds for his return flight and ensuring his well-being during the lengthy journey.

Previously, Eastment was considered for house arrest due to his health condition, but his lawyers advocated for a complete resolution given his age and health challenges, which could not endure prolonged legal proceedings or an indefinite stay in Chile. The court is scheduled to officially conclude the case tomorrow, paving the way for Eastment to depart Chile and head back to the UK swiftly. Neighbors and acquaintances were taken aback by his arrest, as he was known as a fishing and bowls enthusiast rather than an alleged drug courier.

Eastment claimed to have been deceived by scammers who misled him into believing he had won a prize that required him to travel abroad, denying any knowledge of the drugs in his possession. Efforts were made to secure his release under supervised conditions, but complications arose due to his health and financial constraints. Lack of a financial guarantor for his healthcare expenses hindered his release process, as his only income source, his UK state pension, became inaccessible while in detention in Chile.

With the imminent closure of the case, Eastment’s legal ordeal comes to an end, allowing him to finally return home after months of legal battles and uncertainties.