A FATHER-of-two faces being locked up in a Peruvian jail after the Government agreed he could be extradited to face charges of smuggling £3million of cocaine.

Gary Findlater, 45, of Conway Avenue, Great Wakering, is suspected by Peruvian police of being involved in an attempt to smuggle 30kg of cocaine out of the country, on a yacht, in March 2012.

A UK prisons inspector travelled to Peru during preliminary hearings, held at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, to assess conditions there.

Findlater, 45, fought his case on human rights grounds as it is understood the prisons do not meet EU standards but Home Secretary Theresa May has now agreed he must go to Peru to face the charges against him.

The Home Office took the Human Rights Act into consideration before making a final decision.

Findlater’s brother-in-law, Richard Crewe, was one of three people arrested in the South American country in March 2012 after allegedly hiding drugs in fuel tanks and fire extinguishers on the yacht, the Audaciter.

Crewe was arrested alongside Philip Austin Collins, who is the nephewof singer Phil Collins, and Gareth Young. All three are awaiting trial in Peru.

The men have been linked to Michaella Connolly and Melissa Reid, both 20, who were arrested in August 2013 at Lima international airport, for trying to smuggle out more than 11 kilos of cocaine.

Findlater, an engineer, is on bail, under curfew between 9pm and 4am and has appealed the decision.

A Home Office spokesman said: “The Secretary of State, having carefully considered all relevant matters, signed the order for Gary Findlater’s extradition to Peru.

“Mr Findlater has subsequently appealed this decision to the High Court.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further while legal proceedings are ongoing.”

The spokesman said Mr Findlater would not be extradited “until all avenues of appeal have been exhausted”.

The UK does have an extradition agreement with Peru, but it is thought this is the first time it has been used.

Michaella Connolly and Melissa Reid were sentenced to six years and eight months in jail for attempting to smuggle £1.5million of cocaine out of Peru.

They began their sentences at Santa Monica women’s prison, in Chorrillo, notorious for its unsanitary conditions and over-crowding, where HIV and tuberculosis are rife.