A yachtsman who spent two years behind bars accused of smuggling £80million of cocaine across the Atlantic has walked free from court.
Keith Jones, 56, of Carlingford Drive, Westcliff, was cleared of the drug conspiracy after two juries failed to reach a verdict in his case at Southwark Crown Court.
The prosecution decided to offer no evidence against Jones after the jury revealed they were deadlocked following 16 hours of deliberation.
Mr Jones had hired a crew to sail his luxury 60ft sloop the Ocean Voyager from St Lucia to Spain. Drugs were found in the toilet.
Jones told jurors he had been duped and denied any knowledge of the drugs. He denied being concerned in the carrying or concealment of a controlled drug aboard a British registered ship.
Published Friday July 16, 2004
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