A campaign could be launched to free an American being held in custody on the Island for alleged drug smuggling, according to a South Carolina newspaper.

Andrew Blachtley, 58, was charged in October with attempting to import millions of dollars of cannabis along with money laundering the proceeds from drug trafficking.

The Post and Courier, in Charleston, features an interview with his wife Sandi and former co-accused, Jeannie Harden, 58.

Blachtley was originally charged with Ms Harden and Eddie Plourde, 68, but Ms Harden and Mr. Plourde had their charges dropped at the end of the year. Mr. Plourde died of cancer days later in Canada.

A fourth man, Peter Sagos, 35, of Ottawa, was also charged with conspiring with Blachtley to import the drugs.

In the story, Ms Harden said she has launched a Facebook page to free Blachtley and friends have written letters to Government officials. The women claim Blachtley is innocent.

The article said Blachtley, Mr. Plourde and Ms Harden were on Blachtleys' boat Bomba Shack leaving Bermuda after docking in the Island for a few days after travelling from Jamaica and Cuba.

Mr. Plourde had chartered the boat, which Ms Harden says was stopped and searched 14 miles off the Island.

The three were arrested for conspiring to import cannabis, questioned and brought back to Bermuda.

Speaking of the ordeal, Ms Harden told the newspaper: "The Police do not have any evidence, one man is dead. I will never be the same and they are still holding Andrew, and he has no court date in sight."

Mrs. Blachtley said the boat was cut into pieces during an in-depth search by authorities and sits scattered in a Police yard.

"It will never sail again", she said. "I think my boat was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Blachtley has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is awaiting trial. He is currently in custody along with Sagos.