A BRIT accused of smuggling drugs into Mauritius is being held in “inhumane conditions”, sharing a single cell with 29 other detainees and no toilet, his parents say.
Window fitter Patrick Wilsdon, 21, from Peterborough, is stuck inside the ‘worlds toughest jail’ over drug smuggling allegations as his family fear they may never see him again.
Patrick’s father, Matthew Wilsdon, said: “I’ve been calling him every day. He’s keeping his chin up and doing the best he can to get by. But it’s not hygienic over there.
“They have no toilet roll, they’re having to use their hands and a bottle of water. There’s 29 of them in one room with a hole in the ground. It’s inhumane.
“We have to pay for any medication he needs – we’ve just sent a parcel which cost £76 for the prison guards to pick up.”
Patrick was arrested after arriving at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport on a flight from London Gatwick.
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He now faces being stuck inside the notorious Melrose prison. He is yet to be tried and has no idea when his case might be heard.
Matthew said he’s horrified at the jail-time his lad could face. Drug convictions in Mauritius can result in a lengthy 45-year jail sentence.
He said: “He’s looking at something crazy. Between 40 and 60 years for a bit of weed – you don’t get that for murder here.
“It kills me that I might never see my son again – I’ll be dead by the time he’s out.
“They haven’t even taken his statement yet and he has no idea when his trial will be.”
Melrose high security prison is one of eight prisons in Mauritius.
The facility was featured in the fourth series of the Netflix docuseries, Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons, for its harsh conditions.
Patrick was arrested alongside six other Brits after customs officials found 161 kilos of cannabis stuffed into several suitcases.
The other Brits arrested included Laura Kappen, 28, from Orton Goldhay, Cambs, Shannon Holness, 29, from Bretton, Cambs, Shona Campbell, 33, from Standground, Cambs, Lily Watson from Peterborough, Cambs, and Natashia Artug, 35, from Huntingdon.
Romanian national, Florian Lisman, 38, a machine operator living in Huntingdon, was also arrested.
Each suspect was travelling on the British Airways flight from Gatwick with an Apple AirTag which is used to track an item’s location.
Non-profit group Justice Abroad claim these were used by a trafficking gang to keep tabs on the group’s movements with the drugs shipment.
Now his father is pleading for his release after receiving a heart-breaking message from his son declaring his innocence.
The letter, written by Patrick from his jail cell, said: “We were unaware of these other people on board until we were in custody.
“Each of us were told we were bringing the legal amount of cash by the same individual but when the police opened the bags it contained packages of Cannabis.
“I hear there is a lot of interest in our case in the UK. I am urging you to look into this as a formal matter as this was not a straightforward trafficking case.
“We were given the suitcases on the day of departure which had padlocks on. And one of the individuals came up to our taxi and paid for our journey. There should be CCTV of all of this.
“I’ve been made aware that Mauritius is governed by British law. I am asking for help.
“I don’t think it is fair to lose so much of my life for a crime I didn’t commit.
“Other foreigners have been on remand here for six to seven years without sentence.
“I would like human rights to look into this matter as we are not treated fairly.”
The drugs cache was found during a joint operation by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Sections (CANS) and the Anti-Drug & Smuggling Unit (ADSU) at the airport.
Patrick’s mother Carly Wilsdon previously said her son had just started work as a window fitter in Peterborough and had gone to Mauritius after being offered a “free holiday”.
It was only the second time he had been abroad in his life.
She said: “He was told it was a free holiday. He wouldn’t have known what he was doing because he wouldn’t get involved in drugs.
“The person who told them about this free holiday is one of his circle of friends but now he has disappeared.
“He told them that he had been before and that they would meet someone there. There was no mention of drugs.
“It is so hard. He could be looking at 30 years. He has never been in trouble and only been abroad once before.
“I missed a call from him on the day they arrived. I thought it was to show me the apartment. I can’t believe what’s happened.”
Patrick’s parents have also pointed to the recent case of 24-year-old Mia O’Brien who has allegedly escaped a 25 year jail sentence in Dubai.
The British law student from Liverpool was arrested in October 2024 after cops stormed a party and found 50g of cocaine.
Mia was hauled into custody and after a one–day trial held in Arabic in July, she was handed a 25-year sentence and £100,000 fine.
But now her mum claims she is set for release and will be returning to the UK.
Mia’s mum did not specify how her release came about, although she was given support from the Foreign Office.
Michael said: “Why can’t they do that with my kid. Ban them from flying or keep them in custody over here.
“My mums in bits. If I could swap places with him I would in a heartbeat.”
A Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman told The Sun: “We are supporting a British national detained in Mauritius and are in contact with the local authorities.”