Ep 10. Betrayed in Ecuador

In the third season of Locked Up Abroad, the tenth episode titled Betrayed in Ecuador, the show recounts the harrowing story of Leigh, a South African woman who embarks on a trip to Ecuador with her boyfriend, a man she barely knows. As she tries to explore the beauty of the country, things quickly take a turn for the worse as she is betrayed by her boyfriend, who lures her into a dangerous drug-related crime.

Leigh's journey starts off as a peaceful and adventurous trip through Ecuador. The couple are having a great time exploring the country’s stunning landscapes and meeting new people. However, their seemingly idyllic trip takes a dark turn when Leigh's boyfriend asks her to deliver a package to a man in Ecuador. While she is aware that the package contains drugs, she agrees to do it without much thought, hoping to impress her partner.

Before long, Leigh is caught by the police while trying to deliver the package. She is arrested, and in the process, discovers that her boyfriend had set her up as part of a plot to traffic drugs. Despite her attempts to explain her innocence, Leigh is swiftly imprisoned, facing a potential sentence of up to 25 years.

As the episode unfolds, viewers are taken down a treacherous path as Leigh endures the horrors of prison life in Ecuador. She is initially imprisoned alongside dangerous and violent criminals, and despite her efforts to stay out of trouble, she is regularly targeted by both prisoners and guards. Leigh's fight for survival is chronicled in heart-wrenching detail, as she seeks ways to protect herself and maintain her sanity amid the chaos.

The episode also explores the behind-the-scenes aspects of Leigh's story, including the role of the South African embassy in her case. Locked Up Abroad shares details about how Leigh's family contacted the embassy and how the embassy worked tirelessly to secure her release. Through interviews with embassy officials, viewers see the tireless efforts of the consulate to provide Leigh with legal aid, food, and essential items.

As the episode progresses, Leigh shakes off her sense of fear and desperation, finding hope in her fellow prisoners and unexpected alliances. She builds unhealthy but necessary relationships with other inmates, such as dangerous gang leaders and drug smugglers, who ultimately provide protection in prison.

Despite the odds stacked against her, Leigh finds courage and strength, determined to survive and come out of prison alive. With the help of the embassy and South African authorities, Leigh is eventually granted an early release. The episode concludes with her returning home, where she receives a hero's welcome from her family and the embassy.

Locked Up Abroad- Betrayed in Ecuador is a powerful episode, which details the dangers of drug-related crime and the devastating consequences that can result from making bad decisions. Leigh's story is a cautionary tale for travelers, reminding them of the importance of making smart choices and the consequences of trusting strangers in unfamiliar settings. Through Betrayed in Ecuador, viewers gain a deep appreciation for the importance of human perseverance, hope, and the will to survive.