Finding Mr Fox: 2. In the doldrums

Summary

World of Secrets: Season 5, Episode 2 – "Finding Mr Fox: In the Doldrums"

Release Date: October 30, 2024

In the gripping second episode of Season 5, "Finding Mr Fox: In the Doldrums," BBC's "World of Secrets" delves deeper into the high-stakes journey of Daniel and his crew aboard the yacht Rich Harvest. This episode masterfully weaves a tale of adventure, trust, and betrayal on the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, culminating in a dramatic police intervention that unearths hidden secrets.

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1. Setting Sail: The Promise of a New Beginning

The episode opens with Daniel Fernandez, a hopeful sailor from Brazil, embarking on what he believes is a life-changing voyage. Assisted by "Fox," a British boat owner, Daniel is tasked with delivering the Rich Harvest from Brazil to Europe. The enthusiasm is palpable as Daniel shares:

Antonio Fernandez [01:22]: "Fox, I'm really grateful for this chance to learn and for our bonds that have made me stronger. Thanks, mate."

As Daniel and his crewmates—Rodrigo, Steve, and the French captain—leave the Brazilian coast, the atmosphere is joyous and optimistic. Celebrations abound, notably Rodrigo's 25th birthday:

Monica Vasconcelos [02:04]: "The crew bought a bottle of wine so we could have a toast in the middle of the planet. I never imagined that we'd have a birthday like that. It was really special." [02:14]

A quick call home marks the early days of the journey, instilling a sense of connection amidst the isolation of the sea.

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2. The Doldrums: Mechanical Failure and Rising Tensions

Approximately five days into the voyage, the idyllic journey takes a dark turn when the yacht's engine fails:

Monica Vasconcelos [03:50]: "On the fifth day at sea, the engine breaks."

The Rich Harvest becomes immobilized in the doldrums—a region notorious for its calm winds. The crew's initial optimism wanes as mechanical issues compound the situation:

Antonio Fernandez [03:54]: "It was only the beginning of a nightmare."

With the engine out of commission, reliance shifts to their sails and a rudimentary diesel generator. However, the lack of autopilot demands constant vigilance, increasing the crew's fatigue and strain.

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3. Conflict Among Crewmates: Breaking Points

As days pass without improvement, interpersonal conflicts escalate. Rodrigo's nonchalant attitude and Steve's persistent illness exacerbate tensions aboard the cramped vessel.

Antonio Fernandez [05:04]: "Steve wasn't able to cook, so it was always left to me and the captain."

A pivotal moment occurs when Daniel, frustrated with perceived laziness, confronts Rodrigo:

Monica Vasconcelos [08:22]: "I pulled out the knife and threatened me."

This confrontation leads to a physical altercation, showcasing the crew's fragile morale:

Antonio Fernandez [09:08]: "I'm going to leave a mark on you to make sure you remember to work. I was out of control. Out of control."

The captain's attempts to mediate only highlight the deteriorating harmony among the crew.

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4. Arrival in Cape Verde: A False Sense of Relief

After three harrowing weeks at sea, the sight of Cape Verde brings a glimmer of hope. However, mechanical issues persist, preventing them from reaching shore immediately.

Antonio Fernandez [10:54]: "We spent the day looking at Cape Verde and not being able to get to Cape Verde. It was total desperation."

Daniel contacts Fox for guidance, but the captain, skeptical of the provided coordinates, opts for a different route towards safety.

On August 22, 2017, an exhausted Daniel posts on Facebook:

Antonio Fernandez [11:47]: "We've arrived in African lands at last. Safely anchored in Cape Verde, exhausted."

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5. The Police Raid: Uncovering Hidden Crimes

The crew's relief is short-lived as police officers, including judicial and maritime authorities, board the Rich Harvest with a warrant to search the vessel:

Antonio Fernandez [14:15]: "I was super helpful. I wanted to help speed up their work because the sooner it's done, the more time I'll have to surf."

Despite Daniel's cooperation, the police uncover a clandestine compartment containing half a ton of cocaine:

Antonio Fernandez [21:40]: "Alpha 10 of cocaine being found under your bed. I felt betrayed, I felt cheated, like I'd been fooled by someone."

The discovery shocks the crew, leading to immediate arrests:

Antonio Fernandez [22:31]: "I was just scared. It was a test. They were all watching us while we were looking at it, watching us to see our reaction."

Daniel and the captain are handcuffed and taken to a police station, while Rodrigo and Steve find themselves in a stark, empty cell, isolated from each other.

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6. Aftermath: Disappearance and Desperation

Rodrigo’s sudden disappearance adds another layer of mystery to the unfolding events. His mother, Annette, is left frantic and seeking answers:

Antonio Fernandez [28:21]: "Annette starts calling around. She speaks to other hotels, but no one has heard of him."

The police continue their meticulous search of the Rich Harvest, eventually uncovering more drug stashes, solidifying the gravity of the situation:

Monica Vasconcelos [26:34]: "That first moment when I saw all that, I was just scared. It was a test. They were all watching us while we were looking at it, watching us to see our reaction."

As the legal implications unfold, Daniel grapples with the possibility that Fox may have orchestrated a trap to salvage the operation:

Antonio Fernandez [25:26]: "Maybe the plan was to sink our boat, take the drugs so they could change boats, sink the crew and arrive in Europe with a boat that no one is looking for."

Rodrigo and Steve's attempts to prove their innocence clash with mounting evidence, leaving their fate uncertain.

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7. Conclusion and Future Implications

The episode concludes on a suspenseful note, with Annette confronting Fox and Rodrigo struggling to cope with his incarceration. The intertwined stories hint at deeper conspiracies and set the stage for the next installment:

Antonio Fernandez [29:37]: "We called him and said, look, our son is in prison. What's going on? And he says, I don't know what's happening."

As "World of Secrets" Season 5 continues, listeners are left eagerly anticipating the unraveling of this complex narrative, questioning who can truly be trusted and what hidden motives lie beneath the surface.

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Notable Quotes

• Penny, Miranda’s Mother [Original Season Context]: “Nobody joins a cult. You just get sucked in.” [Not directly from this episode]

• Antonio Fernandez [01:22]: "Fox, I'm really grateful for this chance to learn and for our bonds that have made me stronger. Thanks, mate."

• Monica Vasconcelos [02:04]: "The crew bought a bottle of wine so we could have a toast in the middle of the planet. I never imagined that we'd have a birthday like that. It was really special." [02:14]

• Antonio Fernandez [08:22]: "I just finished making dinner, and I said, oh, Rodrigo, can you lay the table? And nothing. He went downstairs and lay there on the couch. So I say, go and set the table, man."

• Antonio Fernandez [21:40]: "Alpha 10 of cocaine being found under your bed. I felt betrayed, I felt cheated, like I'd been fooled by someone."

---

Production Team:

• Hosts: Colin Freeman and Yemi Siadikoke
• Producer: Charlotte Macdonald
• Executive Producer: Joe Kent
• Series Editor: Matt Willis
• Sound Design and Mix: Tom Brignall
• Additional Production: Ayam Leroy, Christine Kist, Nick Norman Butler, and Chiara Francavilla
• Voice Actors: Edison Okaija (Rodrigo), Antonio Fernandez (Daniel), Monica Vasconcelos (Annette)

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Looking Ahead:

The episode sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the Rich Harvest's secrets and the true intentions behind Fox's involvement. As the investigation unfolds, listeners will uncover more layers of deception and the intricate web that ensnares the unsuspecting crew.

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Stay tuned for the next episode of "World of Secrets" as the investigation continues, revealing truths that challenge perceptions and uncover hidden motives.

Transcript

[Colin Freeman]

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.

[Yemi Siadikoke]

An airliner heads for Alaska with 101 passengers and crew. Then somewhere over the Gulf of Alaska, Flight 293 slams into the icy waters below.

[Edison Okaija]

Even if all four engines quit, it.

[Colin Freeman]

Just doesn't fall out of the sky.

[Yemi Siadikoke]

No bodies were recovered. Loved ones had no closure and were left to wonder, what happened to Flight 293? Unsolved what happened to Flight 293 is available now, wherever you get your podcasts.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

Before we begin, just to remind you, many of the people we've interviewed for this season of World of Secrets speak Portuguese, so their words are spoken by actors and members of our BBC team.

[Antonio Fernandez]

The day we set out to cross the Atlantic was really exciting. It was a beautiful day, perfect weather, sun. I felt really emotional, but I also had this great sense of responsibility.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

As the coast of Brazil fades behind him, Daniel posts on Facebook.

[Antonio Fernandez]

Life gives us opportunities and brothers.

[Colin Freeman]

He feels indebted to the boat's owner, the British man who calls himself Fox, who's giving Daniel his big chance, employing him to deliver his boat to Europe.

[Antonio Fernandez]

Fox, I'm really grateful for this chance to learn and for our bonds that has made me stronger. Thanks, mate.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

On board the rich harvest, Daniel has just begun the voyage he hopes will change his life.

[Antonio Fernandez]

We fished, we swam, had fun, told stories, rested stress free, worry free.

[Colin Freeman]

They even celebrate his fresh faced crewmate Rodrigo's 25th birthday birthday at sea.

[Monica Vasconcelos]

The crew bought a bottle of wine so we could have a toast in the middle of the planet. I never imagined that we'd have a birthday like that. It was really special.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

He's allowed one quick call on the satellite phone to his parents back in Brazil.

[Monica Vasconcelos]

They had been following our progress using the boat's GPS signal, but it was a real comfort to hear each other's voices. My mom singing Happy birthday.

[Colin Freeman]

A few days into their Atlantic crossing, they reach the equator. It's quite a moment to be crossing this famous line of latitude around the globe, leaving the southern hemisphere behind.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

As they get closer, Rodrigo gets out his phone to film. Above the hum and rattle of the boat's equipment, you can just about hear him counting down.

[Monica Vasconcelos]

Looking at and seeing that it is 0,000 latitude and how you're in the middle of the world. That's an incredible feeling. It was nighttime. I was in command of the boat. The rest of the crew was asleep. So I celebrated alone. And I started pressing the boat's horn and screaming woo woo. It's the equator.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

It sounds idyllic. But this is the part of the Atlantic which sa called the doldrums, where the winds of the north hemisphere collide with the winds of the south, effectively cancelling each other out.

[Colin Freeman]

This can be a problem for sailing boats like the rich harvest, but it has a motor to fall back on. At least that was the idea.

[Monica Vasconcelos]

On the fifth day at sea, the engine breaks.

[Antonio Fernandez]

When we left, there was this wonderful feeling. The first days of our journey go by without any difficulties, without problems. But it was only the beginning of a nightmare.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

This is World of Secrets season five, finding Mr. Fox a BBC World Service investigation with me, Colin Freeman and me, yemisi Adegake. Episode 2 In the Doldrums.

[Colin Freeman]

Traveling across the Atlantic is seen as one of the biggest adventures in sailing. A huge challenge. It's a badge of honor for those who've done it.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

In the weeks you spend at sea, things can and nearly always do go wrong. But that's all part of the exception experience. The crew, the kit, the boat itself, they'll all be tested. It's no different on the rich harvest.

[Monica Vasconcelos]

Already on the third or fourth day, a lot of problems begin to appear.

[Colin Freeman]

As well as Rodrigo Daniel and their French captain, there's the fourth crew member, another Brazilian who they call Steve. He's fairly new to sailing and the smell of a fuel of the engine, the swaying of the boat, it's all too much for him.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

Soon he's too sick to eat and retreats to his cabin where he'll spend.

[Colin Freeman]

The rest of the trip with a man down. The French captain quickly reassigns his duties.

[Antonio Fernandez]

So the first stress was because of food. You know, only Steve, the captain and I knew how to cook. Steve wasn't able to cook, so it was always left to me and the captain.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

So there they are in the middle of the ocean, already bickering over who's going to cook dinner. They're getting nowhere, literally. The motor's broken, so they're stuck waiting for the wind to pick up so they can sail on.

[Colin Freeman]

They wait and they pray, and after a couple of days, it finally does. They use the weight to rig a diesel power generator to charge their electronics in place of the now useless motor.

[Monica Vasconcelos]

The captain was really our salvation. He was very experienced and knew how to fix a lot of problems.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

But there's one problem he can't fix.

[Monica Vasconcelos]

The autopilot, which is basically the system that keeps the boat on the course you choose. You have to keep an eye out. You can't go to sleep. But with autopilot, you can look around, go to the kitchen, have a snack. It's okay to leave it for a.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

Few minutes, but instead it means someone has to be in charge of the boat at all times.

[Monica Vasconcelos]

The trip became a very tiring trip, which ended up leaving people stressed, anxious. Then there's the problems of living together on board. When you get stressed, you start fighting each other. We're living in a confined space, living with people we barely know.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

One morning, the captain is struggling to fix an issue with the sails. Daniel's helping, Rodrigo isn't.

[Monica Vasconcelos]

I was in my bedroom sleeping. I didn't get up, but I knew there was a problem because I could hear the noise of the sail. But I thought, they're there. The rest of the crew is fixing it. But at the end of it all, Daniel came to my room and started screaming at me, saying all I did was sleep and I wasn't there to help. So I said to the guy, if you needed help, you could have called me. And his argument was that you shouldn't have to call. I should have just taken action. It was a horrible atmosphere. So many arguments, a sick crew member, broken engine. Everyone was stressed, but we had to carry on working together.

[Antonio Fernandez]

Rodrigo, he is a good sailor. He's a good sailor, of course, but living together was complicated. It was a lot of pressure. He lives like he's in a movie.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

In a movie, because he's always filming, says Daniel. They're only 10 days into the trip, not even halfway there, and he's already pretty fed up. Why is he having to do so many of the chores? Why can't everyone else pull their weight?

[Antonio Fernandez]

I just finished making dinner, and I said, oh, Rodrigo, can you lay the table? And nothing. He went downstairs and lay there on the couch. So I say, go and set the table, man.

[Colin Freeman]

Daniel asks a third time, and he.

[Monica Vasconcelos]

Pulled out a knife and threatened me.

[Antonio Fernandez]

I lost my mind. I pulled out the knife and I ran after him. Not to kill him, not to kill him, but like to, I don't know, run the blade across him.

[Monica Vasconcelos]

Yeah, I was really scared.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

All of a sudden, something as ordinary as setting the dinner table has descended into chaos. Rodrigo runs upstairs to find the captain. Daniel follows, still chasing him with the knife.

[Antonio Fernandez]

I get up there, and he almost jumps off the boat. And I'm there with the knife, and I'm saying, I'm going to leave a mark on you to make sure you remember to work. I was out of control. Out of control.

[Colin Freeman]

Eventually, Daniel calms down and he apologizes to Rodrigo and to the captain.

[Antonio Fernandez]

What did the captain say? He said, we already have one sick crew member and you want to kill another one.

[Monica Vasconcelos]

Normally you argue with a colleague and you can say, right, I'm going for a walk to clear my head. But on a boat you can't go out for a quick walk.

[Colin Freeman]

They struggle on, but things are bad. Steve is still sick.

[Antonio Fernandez]

He's getting weaker and weaker and weaker. So as well as looking after the boat, we had to look after him.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

And the engine still won't work. Daniel and Rodrigo are now born.

[Colin Freeman]

Barely talking, they exchange just enough words to get the job done, to get through the storms and find a workaround for the endless problems the aging boat throws at them.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

They're all exhausted.

[Colin Freeman]

Daniel says they call Fox and tell him the boat's in no state to reach Europe. He shares a set of coordinates with them to head to where they should be able to pick up some wind and reach the safety of the shore sooner.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

But the captain is confused. It seems to be in the wrong direction and without an engine they'd struggle to get there anyway. So he ignores Fox's advice and heads for Cape Verde, the small nation of islands off the coast of West Africa.

[Colin Freeman]

Look on a map and it makes sense. With your finger on Brazil, draw a straight line to Europe. And there's Cape Verde, slap bang in the middle.

[Antonio Fernandez]

After three weeks on the ocean, we see land. It's amazing. We are saved. There are mechanics there, a hospital for Steve. There's everything.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

It's in sight, but they're not quite there yet.

[Colin Freeman]

The wind changes and without a motor to propel them along the final mile or so, they get stuck.

[Antonio Fernandez]

We spent the day looking at Cape Verde and not being able to get to Cape Verde. It was total desperation.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

They drop anchor late one night. They raise a yellow flag to signal to local authorities they've just arrived from international waters. And on August 22, 2017, Daniel posts on Facebook.

[Antonio Fernandez]

We've arrived in African lands at last. Safely anchored in Cape Verde, exhausted.

[Colin Freeman]

It's too late to go ashore now. Instead, they get some much needed sleep. Next day, they find a toteboat to.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

Pull them into the harbour and finally, finally, dry land. Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit Cape Verde each year, a group of Islands about 600 miles off the coast of West Africa. It's got pristine white beaches, crystal blue waters and year round sun. It's also popular with transatlantic sailors as a stop off point to relax and recharge.

[Colin Freeman]

And after more than three weeks at sea, that's exactly what Daniel and Rodrigo need. By the captain's estimate. They're going to need weeks to fix the boat anyway. Daniel says they call Fox, who says he'll send some money so they can enjoy the islands.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

There are also some staffing issues to sort out.

[Antonio Fernandez]

The captain told me he was going to fire Rodrigo and Steve. And he says, you and I will sail on from here. And he told me, when I go to talk to them, I don't want you to be there.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

So Daniel makes himself scarce.

[Antonio Fernandez]

I went for a walk around the city, and just as I came back maybe an hour later, I see them with their bags leaving. They start cursing me, laughing, like, did you set us up to get us out of here? I said, man, you didn't do any work.

[Colin Freeman]

Rodrigo has failed to reach Europe and gain the sea miles he dreamed of. But he tries to put a brave face on being fired.

[Monica Vasconcelos]

It was a relief for me after all the stress we had on board. I didn't want to be a part of the rest of the trip anymore. I knew I should because I committed to take the boat to its final destination. It was my job. But since it was the captain's decision, I couldn't argue. That same day, we went to the beach. We met a local guide who showed us some places. It's fine. I'll catch my plane and go home.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

While Rodrigo is off to book his flights, Daniel has work to do. He'll help fix the boat, and together he and the captain will carry on alone.

[Antonio Fernandez]

We slept on the boat, and the next morning. My plan was to go surfing that day, after I'd done my chores. But when we were having breakfast on the deck, two women and a man showed up. Police officers. They asked me if I was the captain, and during the conversation I noticed that one of them picked up the knives from our table and put them out of reach. They said they had a warrant to search the boat.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

Here we go again. Brazilian police had already searched the boat weeks earlier.

[Antonio Fernandez]

They didn't find anything in Brazil. They won't find anything in Cape Verde either. But it was just their manner, the way they kept hinting something was wrong. I started to find the whole situation a bit strange.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

At least this time he's been able to put a T shirt on.

[Colin Freeman]

At about 8am the search begins. On board are a mixture of judicial police, maritime police and representatives from the port authority.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

They follow standard procedure. They start at the top and work their way down. They check the mast, the area around the anchor, the little shaded seating area at the back of the boat. The cushioned benches look like A good place to hide something, but they're empty.

[Colin Freeman]

All the while, Daniel is trying to be as helpful as he can. When they ask if it's okay to cut into a piece of tubing, he says, yes, of course, and runs to get a spare to replace it.

[Antonio Fernandez]

I was super helpful. I wanted to help speed up their work because the sooner it's done, the more time I'll have to surf.

[Colin Freeman]

He offers the police tea and coffee.

[Antonio Fernandez]

But they just went on and on, and I started to get fed up. I remember asking one of the police if I could get off the boat and get a beer. Obviously not. Can one of you go and get one for me? No.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

Slowly, methodically, the officers move inside, working their way through the cockpit, the kitchen, the bedrooms, lifting each mattress to see what it might be covering. The search moves into a second, more thorough, more meticulous stage.

[Colin Freeman]

The captain asks Daniel to send Fox a message to let him know what's going on.

[Antonio Fernandez]

I think they must have taken his phone or something like that. Mine was charging, so I went downstairs and sent a Facebook message saying, oh, Fox, this is going to slow things down here. The police are here looking for something. He replied, something along the lines of, they won't find anything. I thought, beautiful, perfect.

[Colin Freeman]

But Fox is about to be proved wrong.

[Yemi Siadikoke]

An airliner heads for Alaska with 101 passengers and crew. Then, somewhere over the Gulf of Alaska, Flight 293 slams into the icy waters below.

[Edison Okaija]

Even if all four engines quit, it.

[Colin Freeman]

Just doesn't fall out of the sky.

[Yemi Siadikoke]

No bodies were recovered. Loved ones had no closure and were left to wonder, what happened to Flight 293? Unsolved Histories what Happened to Flight 293 is available now wherever you get your podcasts.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

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[Monica Vasconcelos]

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[Yemi Siadikoke]

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[Colin Freeman]

Just to make up for things like.

[Antonio Fernandez]

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[Yemi Siadikoke]

You know, all the mundane stuff.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

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[Charlotte Macdonald]

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[Monica Vasconcelos]

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[Colin Freeman]

One of the police officers asks for blueprints of the boat to identify areas that they haven't searched so far.

[Antonio Fernandez]

Then we made lunch, and after the captain went for a lie down, I had a lie down, too.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

But as the hours drag on, Daniel becomes more anxious. One of the officers notices the numerous water and fuel tanks that the boat has been fitted with, including one under a bed. They drain and remove it, revealing a freshly painted section of floor.

[Colin Freeman]

Beneath that, there's more tanks, which Daniel says appear to be sealed shut using bolts that can't be unscrewed. The police send for specialist equipment to cut through the metal.

[Antonio Fernandez]

It took hours to cut because they were very big screws, but eventually they cut through them. I was outside on the deck reading a book when they announced, we are about to do it. We are going to open it. There was always a police officer watching over me, and I was like, I'm curious. Let's go and see. And I stood at the top of the hatch, looking down as they took.

[Colin Freeman]

Off the lid and inside, what looked.

[Antonio Fernandez]

Like a pile of colored bricks.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

The French captain walks over and picks one up. Maybe they're some kind of flotation device, but Daniel thinks he knows what they really are.

[Antonio Fernandez]

I said, my God in heaven, it can't be. I was so angry. Not with the police, but angry about the trap I had fallen into.

[Colin Freeman]

An officer takes out a knife and slices open one of the packages. Delicately, he lifts up some of the white powder that's inside and places it into a Ziploc bag that's full of clear liquid. A drug testing kit.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

Everyone watches and waits. Wisps of blue appear, getting darker and thicker as they spread through the bag.

[Antonio Fernandez]

I couldn't believe what was happening.

[Colin Freeman]

Half a ton of cocaine hidden under one of the beds below. A false Floor in an old fuel tank.

[Antonio Fernandez]

Obviously it's no joke. Alpha 10 of cocaine being found under your bed. I felt betrayed, I felt cheated, like I'd been fooled by someone. I just wanted to run away. I felt that all my freedom was going down the drain and it crossed my mind to jump into the water and dive under any boat. I said, I don't deserve this. I was furious, couldn't accept what was happening. You know, I'd been really fooled.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

Daniel and the captain are handcuffed, taken off the boat and driven to a police station. But what about Rodrigo?

[Monica Vasconcelos]

To leave the island? I think there was only one flight a week and that flight was already full. So I thought, well, I'll get to know the island, I'll go sightseeing. So for me it was calm. I didn't even want to leave quickly. I just arrived in a new country.

[Colin Freeman]

Rodrigo has decided to make the most of being sacked. His crewmate Steve is feeling better and they're staying in a hotel near the harbour.

[Monica Vasconcelos]

I wanted to get to know the place, a beautiful place, that wonderful blue sea. I mean, I wanted to get to know the beaches, the people, especially after all the problems we'd had.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

It's his first night on dry land in weeks. Rodrigo has dinner. He samples the Cape Verde national drink, a kind of sugar cane rum called Groggy, and then goes to bed.

[Monica Vasconcelos]

I was just waking up when the police knocked on the bedroom door.

[Colin Freeman]

Bleary eyed and confused, he doesn't know what's happening.

[Monica Vasconcelos]

About 10 policemen came into the room and started looking through my things. I'm like, what's going on? They showed us a search warrant and started to look through all of her bags. I was scared.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

The officers arrest Rodrigo and Steve and drive them to the police station. They're put in an empty cell. No bed, no chairs, no toilet.

[Monica Vasconcelos]

There was a hole in the floor that was the bathroom. Whatever we needed to do it was in front of the other crew member.

[Colin Freeman]

Not exactly the Cape Verde hospitality he was hoping for.

[Monica Vasconcelos]

They wouldn't even let us contact our family.

[Colin Freeman]

It's only after a whole day in the cell that Rodrigo's told why he's there, about the drugs on the rich harvest.

[Monica Vasconcelos]

At that moment, it was like the floor fell away from beneath me. I really couldn't believe it. I was in shock, lost for words. How is that possible? The Brazilian police searched the boat, didn't they?

[Charlotte Macdonald]

Daniel's being held in the same police station, but kept away from Rodrigo. He's running through everything that's happened in his mind.

[Colin Freeman]

He says he remembers how Fox had given them some coordinates and asked them to make their way there, supposedly to find some good wind for sailing. He says it hadn't made any sense because it would have taken them in the wrong direction. Then, just as they were coming into Cape Verde, the sailors say they spotted another boat arriving. Daniel says he tried to befriend the crew, calling out to say hello, but they ignored him.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

He remembers how one of the police officers had also mentioned a boat acting strangely just before the Rich Harvest arrived, sailing back and forth in front of the island.

[Colin Freeman]

After many hours stewing in his cell, Daniel's mind is racing. He wonders whether that strange boat was coming for them.

[Antonio Fernandez]

Maybe the plan was to sink our boat, take the drugs so they could change boats, sink the crew and arrive in Europe with a boat that no one is looking for.

[Colin Freeman]

One by one, the crew is interviewed. Rodrigo is determined to show he has nothing to do with the drugs.

[Monica Vasconcelos]

I tried to pass on as much information as I had to the police. I said, look, I'm here through this company, here's my contract, I have my emails, I have a way to prove how I got here. This will all be resolved. From the beginning, I was sure that it would all be resolved.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

But it's only getting worse. The search on the Rich Harvest continues. At some point, the police move the yacht from the marina to the port and start to tear it apart. They find another secret compartment, another stash of coloured bricks, another half a ton of cocaine in total. Police find drugs that could be sold for more than US$100 million on the streets of.

[Colin Freeman]

After three days, Rodrigo is led out of his cell and brought into a garage area where the rest of the crew is already standing. In front of them is a pile of plastic wrapped blocks.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

It's the cocaine from the Rich Harvest, a small mountain.

[Monica Vasconcelos]

That first moment when I saw all that, I was just scared. It was a test. They were all watching us while we were looking at it, watching us to see our reaction. The French captain walked over to inspect it. Steve congratulated the police for finding what the Brazilians didn't. I just stayed quiet. Then they took photos, took our fingerprints.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

Rodrigo says he's handed a form to sign, something about drug trafficking. At first he's adamant he's not signing anything without a lawyer. But then, he says an officer pays a visit to his cell.

[Monica Vasconcelos]

He opens the door forcefully. You didn't want to sign the document? Are you going to sign now? Of course I signed. After the way he came into the cell. I didn't want to do anything without a lawyer, without my parents. We've all watched the films, right? Meanwhile, our parents were going crazy trying to get in touch with us.

[Edison Okaija]

As far as I knew, he went to sleep in the hotel. The next morning, he didn't call me. Okay? He must have gone to the beach.

[Colin Freeman]

Anniette has no idea what's happened to her son Rodrigo.

[Edison Okaija]

But that evening, he still didn't call. So I started to get worried.

[Colin Freeman]

Only one thing is clear. He's disappeared.

[Edison Okaija]

So I called Daniel, but he didn't answer. I called the hotel and the receptionist said, rodrigo is not here anymore. He took his luggage. I spent that night really distressed, really worried. You know that feeling like your heart is going to burst out of your chest. I didn't understand why he hadn't called.

[Colin Freeman]

Annette starts calling around. She speaks to other hotels, but no one has heard of him.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

She calls the marina only to be told the rich harvest has been seized. Alarmed, she calls the police.

[Edison Okaija]

I said, look, I'm worried. I need to know where he is. You don't understand. I'm his mother.

[Colin Freeman]

When she learns what's happened, it feels like a punch to the stomach and.

[Edison Okaija]

A black hole opened up inside of me. And I started to ask, how are we going to unravel this all?

[Colin Freeman]

She gets hold of Fox.

[Edison Okaija]

We called him and said, look, our son is in prison. What's going on? And he says, I don't know what's happening. I don't know what they put on my boat. I haven't been able to contact them either. I don't understand what's going on.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

When she does finally manage to speak to Rodrigo, he's distraught. It's sounds like he's crying. What can she do? He's halfway around the world.

[Colin Freeman]

So she does what any parent would do when their child is upset. She tells him everything will be okay. She knows he's innocent, but how can they prove it?

[Charlotte Macdonald]

That's next time on World of Secrets.

[Colin Freeman]

This has been episode two of six of Finding Mr. Fox, season five of World of Secrets from the BBC World Service.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

We hope you've enjoyed it. To make sure you get episodes as soon as they're available, make sure you subscribe or follow World of Secrets. And please do let others know what you think.

[Colin Freeman]

I'm Colin Freeman.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

And I'm Yemi Siadikoke. The producer is Charlotte Macdonald. The executive producer is Joe Kent.

[Colin Freeman]

The series editor is Matt Willis. Production coordinator Gemma Ashman. And the sound, design and mix are by Tom Brignall.

[Charlotte Macdonald]

Additional production is by Ayam Leroy, Christine Kist, Nick Norman Butler and Chiara Francavilla. Rodrigo is voiced by Edison Okaija, Daniel.

[Colin Freeman]

By Antonio Fernandez and Annette, voiced by Monica Vasconcelos. At the World Service, Cat Collins is the senior producer and John Manell the commissioning editor.

[Yemi Siadikoke]

An airliner heads for Alaska with 101 passengers and crew. Then, somewhere over the Gulf of Alaska, Flight 293 slams into the icy waters below.

[Edison Okaija]

Even if all four engines quit, it.

[Colin Freeman]

Just doesn't fall out of the sky.

[Yemi Siadikoke]

No bodies were recovered. Loved ones had no closure and were left to wonder what happened to Flight 293? Unsolved Histories what Happened to Flight 293 is available now wherever you get your podcasts.