Ep 1. Peru

Locked Up Abroad is a documentary series that explores the stories of individuals who have been arrested and imprisoned in foreign countries. This first episode of the series, entitled "Peru," takes us to South America, where a young man named Thomas McFadden recounts his harrowing experience of being locked up abroad.

Thomas, a British national, had traveled to Peru in search of adventure and excitement. Eager to make some money, he met a man named Ricardo who offered him a job transporting drugs. Thomas, who had no prior criminal record and was unfamiliar with the drug trade, naively accepted the offer.

He soon found himself driving a truck across Peru with over 5 kilos of cocaine hidden inside. He was quickly caught by the police and arrested, and faced the prospect of spending the next 25 years in a Peruvian prison.

The episode chronicles Thomas' journey from his initial arrest to his eventual release, providing a detailed look at the often harsh conditions of prison life in Peru. We see how he struggled to adapt to his new environment, facing violence, corruption, and disease on a daily basis.

Despite the many challenges he faced, however, Thomas never lost hope. He found solace in the friendships he made with other inmates, and eventually managed to secure his release through the help of a sympathetic lawyer.

Overall, this first episode of Locked Up Abroad is a gripping and emotionally powerful account of one man's struggle to survive in a foreign prison. It provides a haunting glimpse into the world of international drug trafficking and the brutal consequences that can result from such actions.