U.S. man freed from Spanish prison; had been tricked in scam to smuggle drugs
06/21/2016 1:06 pm PDT
Nevada resident Bryon Martin, 77, returned home in June after being released from prison in Spain, where he was serving time for unknowingly smuggling drugs after being ensnared in a "romance scam."
Martin returned to Henderson, Nev. on June 12, KTNV reported.
Martin was sentenced to six years in a Madrid prison for transporting 1.8 kilos of cocaine in the airport in his wheelchair in July 2015. Security found cocaine hidden in documents and books he was carrying for a friend named "Joy," a woman Martin had met online.
Martin was notified on June 7 that he was being freed.
Crime Watch Daily investigated the case and spoke to Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), who successfully worked to free Martin.
Crime Watch Daily affiliate WVII-TV reported on the "romance scam" that ensnared Martin: "International dealers have the Americans pick up packages with drugs hidden inside. The Department of Homeland Security says 145 Americans have been targeted with about 30 in jails overseas."
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