Daniel Guerra, a hopeful Brazilian sailor with aspirations of traveling the world, saw the job ad as a dream come true. A British yacht owner was in search of two deck-hands to assist in sailing his boat from Brazil across the Atlantic, a journey that was considered one of the great ocean voyages. Despite the lack of salary, all expenses were covered, and most importantly, Mr. Guerra would gain valuable sailing experience needed to become a sea captain.
Upon meeting their new British employer, George Saul, Daniel and his fellow recruit Rodrigo Dantas were pleasantly surprised. They had initially feared he might be a demanding or snobbish yacht owner, but George proved to be a friendly and approachable figure. He even allowed them to call him by his nickname, “Fox.”
The journey began on a positive note, with the crew enjoying the beautiful weather and smooth sailing. However, after encountering engine troubles and stopping in Cape Verde for repairs, their luck took a drastic turn. During a thorough search of the yacht, authorities discovered nearly 1.2 tonnes of cocaine hidden on board.
Despite protesting their innocence, Daniel, Rodrigo, and their crewmates were sentenced to 10 years in jail in Cape Verde. Meanwhile, George Saul, believed to be the mastermind behind the drug smuggling operation, managed to evade authorities and return to the UK.
After a lengthy legal battle, the sailors’ convictions were overturned in 2019, and they were allowed to return home to Brazil. George Saul, on the other hand, never faced trial and continues to reside in the UK, running a property firm in Norwich. The sailors’ families launched a campaign to prove their innocence, which ultimately led to their release.