An 80-year-old British grandfather is fighting for his life in a Chilean prison as his legal team makes urgent efforts to secure his release.
William ‘Billy Boy’ Eastment, from Milborne Port in Somerset, was arrested on May 26 after authorities allegedly found £200,000 worth of methamphetamines in his luggage as he attempted to enter the country.
His condition has since deteriorated significantly in custody, with reports he has suffered four bouts of pneumonia alongside existing health issues.
A source told the Daily Mirror that Mr Eastment is "very vulnerable" and said imprisonment is making "everything worse".
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"There's real concern about how much longer he can cope," the source added.
The pensioner is being held at Santiago 1 Penitentiary, known for its harsh conditions.
His lawyers have argued in court documents that his continued detention poses a "real and imminent" threat to his life.
They are now working to strike a deal with prosecutors that could fast-track his trial.
William ‘Billy Boy’ Eastment, from Milborne Port in Somerset, was arrested on May 26
|WILLIAM EASTMENT / FACEBOOK
While authorities suspect the 80-year-old of acting as an international drug courier, he insists he was duped into carrying the case by a stranger.
The keen bowls player and angler claims he had been corresponding with individuals he believed were senior figures at the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The IMF has previously warned about scams using its name, with his lawyer saying his client "fell for the scam".
His solicitor added that the grandfather "does not live with anyone who could have warned him of the possible fraudulent nature of these emails".
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The pensioner has allegedly suffered four bouts of pneumonia while holed up
|WILLIAM EASTMENT / FACEBOOK
After travelling from Somerset to Mexico City, he claims a woman named Carolina told him he had won a lottery prize.
He alleges she offered him £3.7million to deliver the suitcase and provided a fake certificate as proof.
Extradition back to Britain is not possible, with sources saying that "under Chilean law, that simply isn't an option for drug offences".
Officials have indicated any alternative legal route could take years.
The pensioner is being held at Santiago 1 Penitentiary, known for its harsh conditions
|GETTY
An attempt to change his custody status - backed by his family - was initially approved on October 17 but later overturned.
His lawyers are now pursuing a final arrangement that would allow him to be released under strict supervision in Chile.
However, as a tourist, he cannot access Chilean healthcare and would face significant medical costs.
"The problem is he needs a family member to step forward and act as guarantor for his healthcare bills," a source said.
His 78-year-old sister Jennifer described him as "gullible" following his arrest.
She told the Daily Mirror: "If someone gave him a story like that about needing something delivered and he would get paid for it, he wouldn't think about drugs or anything like that."
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