OAP drug smuggler Roger Clarke, recently released from prison in Portugal after serving time for trafficking £1million worth of cocaine from the Caribbean, has flown to the Costa Blanca in Spain for a getaway. Clarke, 79, who was extradited to the UK in 2021 following his wife Susan’s death in prison, has now resurfaced in sunny Spain, claiming he should have been released in December 2022.
However, his complaints led to his transfer from an open prison to a high-security facility. Clarke is now back in Spain, where he used to reside with his late wife. Clarke shared on Facebook that he traveled to Rojales in Alicante, just a short distance from Guardamar del Segura, where they previously lived before his arrest for drug-related offenses.
Sources indicate that Clarke’s time in prison has taken a toll on him, but he seems unfazed by his recent release and holiday plans. Back in 2017, reports revealed that Clarke and his wife were regulars at the Med Bistro & Bar in El Raso, a community where they enjoyed playing golf. Clarke maintains his innocence in the drug smuggling case but admits his own responsibility for the situation.
Clarke, now residing in Sittingbourne, Kent, on day release from HMP Standford Hill, shared his side of the story in a supermarket café, expressing regret over the events that led to his imprisonment. He claimed that he was unaware of the cocaine hidden in a suitcase he was asked to carry back from the Caribbean, leading to his arrest in Lisbon. Clarke is adamant about seeking compensation for what he views as unfair imprisonment and a violation of his human rights.
Despite his plea for understanding, Clarke acknowledges the impact of his actions on his late wife and his own life. He laments not being able to attend Susan’s funeral and expresses a desire to reconcile with his estranged family and meet his grandchildren. Clarke’s turbulent past includes a previous conviction for smuggling cannabis in Norway, further complicating his legal situation.