British grandfather, 67, jailed in Japan after £1m of amphetamines were found in his luggage dies a year into his sentence while still claiming he was tricked into trafficking the drugs
- Frank Rodway was imprisoned in Japan in 2019 for trafficking amphetamines
- The 67-year-old has died, just over one year into his sentence in Tokyo
- His daughter Laura said the Foreign Office left her father to 'rot' in prison there
A British grandfather imprisoned in Japan on drug trafficking charges has died just one year into his sentence.
Frank Rodway, 67, who was days away from his 68th birthday when he died, took a flight from Mali, West Africa and landed in Tokyo, Japan, where he was found with 2.1 kilograms of amphetamines, with a street value of £1million, in his bags.
He was sentenced to nine years in prison last year.
Around the time of his sentencing, his daughter Laura, 46, insisted her father had fallen for an email phishing scam and was persuaded to go to Mali to collect an inheritance, where drugs were hidden in his luggage without his knowledge, and was then convinced to fly to Japan to get his inheritance signed off and confirmed.
Laura has told the Sun that the Foreign Office left her father to 'rot' in the Japanese prison.
Frank Rodway, pictured with his daughter Laura on her wedding day. Laura said the Foreign Office left her father to 'rot' in prison in Japan
Laura has also been told she will have to front £17,000 to repatriate her father's body.
She told The Sun last year: 'Nobody can believe it. He's the sort of man who likes a pint, looks after his neighbour's dog and loves his garden.
'My dad has diabetes and rarely travels.
'He's never been further than Scarborough before and now he's accused of being an international drug dealer. You can imagine my shock.'
The 67-year-old, who previously hadn't traveled beyond Scarborough took a number of flights for what he thought was a cash windfall.
The retired plasterer was convinced to go to Mali by emails claiming he could get an £8million inheritance ($10.5million).
The grandfather boarded a plane from Manchester airport, via Casablanca in Morocco, to Mali on August 9 last year to sign the papers to get the windfall.
But when he landed he was told he would need to head further afield to Japan - 7,973 miles away from Mali - to sign important documents.
His daughter Laura says that drugs were hidden in his luggage without him knowing and then he got on a plane to Japan.
Japan has strict anti-drug laws where even possession of minute quantities can lead to jail sentences.
Most watched News videos
- 'Declaration of war': Israeli President calls out Iran but wants peace
- Police provide update on alleged Sydney church attacker
- 'Tornado' leaves trail destruction knocking over stationary caravan
- Wind and rain batter the UK as Met Office issues yellow warning
- Fashion world bids farewell to Roberto Cavalli
- Crowd chants 'bring him out' outside church where stabber being held
- Incredible drone footage of Charmouth Beach following the rockfall
- Farage praises Brexit as 'right thing to do' after events in Brussels
- Nigel Farage accuses police to shut down Conservatism conference
- Suella Braverman hits back as Brussels Mayor shuts down conference
- Disco Queen! Lauren Sánchez shows off cute Coachella fit
- Incredible drone footage of Charmouth Beach following the rockfall
Comments 0
Share what you think
No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.
We are no longer accepting comments on this article.
