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The Catch: The Real Freshwater Five Story cover art

The Catch: The Real Freshwater Five Story

By: Raphael Rowe
Narrated by: Raphael Rowe
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  • Summary

  • The story of the Freshwater Five is either one of the biggest drug busts in British history or one of its greatest miscarriages of justice.

    In 2011 a group of fishermen living on the Isle of Wight, off the south coast of England, were convicted of one of the largest, most audacious drug-smuggling plots in British history. They were accused of scooping up £53 mill ($69 mill) worth of pure cocaine in the dead of night from the middle of the English Channel.

    The men were given combined sentences of 104 years in prison. But they maintain their innocence and are fighting to clear their names. 

    Presented by Raphael Rowe, a journalist who himself spent 12 years locked up for a crime he didn’t commit, this series delves into both sides of the case, exploring each twist and turn, to piece together the real Freshwater Five story. 

    A Message Heard production for Audible Original Podcasts.

    ©2022 Audible, Ltd (P)2022 Audible, Ltd
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Episodes
  • Ep. 1: The Judgement
    Feb 24 2022

    Raphael meets Danny, one of the Freshwater Five, and his lawyer Emily Bolton. As they fight to get Danny’s case overturned, Raphael quickly realises this story will take him to some unexpected places.

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    20 mins
  • Ep. 2: Fishing in the Storm
    Feb 24 2022

    Travelling to the scene of the cocaine bust on the Isle of Wight, Raphael hears the accused men recount their version of events. They claim it was impossible for them to have picked up the drugs that night. But if they’re telling the truth, who else is lying?

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    27 mins
  • Ep. 3: The Police Cliffhanger
    Feb 24 2022

    The Freshwater Five's lawyer, Emily Bolton tells Raphael there’s something very wrong about the evidence against the men, and that she has an expert witness to back up her claim.

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    30 mins

What listeners say about The Catch: The Real Freshwater Five Story

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    5 out of 5 stars

I usually prefer moving pictures but

As the headline suggests I am a big fan of true crime tv series but in this case from the first episode I was hooked by Raphael and the story he relates. A magnificent piece of work by all involved in the production.
I downloaded all the episodes and have been listening to them on the tube / train.
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11 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

It's a conundrum.

I found this podcast very interesting. It was clearly and concisely presented and I am unable to decide if they were innocent or not. Well worth listening to.

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9 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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held my attention from start to finish

what an interesting story, great reporting skills which kept the listener hooked throughout. Did they or didn't they ? definitely well worth listening to this but be careful, make sure you can listen to it in one go as once you start, you will get hooked(excuse the pun). A great report.

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping!

Really interesting story of people digging into the facts behind an already public story. I felt like I zipped through this podcast really quick, the 7 episodes were done before I even realised I was at the end. I guess this means that I was thoroughly entertained!
I found the content to be really interesting and gripping. Nice to hear accounts of the people who were convicted and their families but also nice to hear the presenter and Co digging into the facts. Good old fashioned journalism at its best! highly recommend giving this one a go if you are into true crime.

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5 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Another Podcast about an unresolved Historic Event

and still unresolved. Despite the attempts to make this sound like it was going to lead to a dramatic conclusion it does not. A protracted retelling of what is essentially a drug smuggling deal gone wrong.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Decent

Decent story, not sure if the point of the podcast was to prove their innocence but guilty for me...

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Great podcast

Objective, factual information that is unbiased and has really got me thinking. So far, and I’m only at the end of episode 2, Danny has had a reasonable explanation for everything I think. The police changing statements, I mean fair enough things come back to you but how can you say straight after seeing them throw bags that you saw 10-12, then remember after meeting with other coppers that you only saw 6-7 bags and now remember they were all strung up with an anchor on one end and a buoy on the other. Sounds to me like the cops that found the drugs told them exactly what the bags looked like and how many.

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Well presented and concise

Enjoyed listening, well presented and concise. I can’t decide if they are guilty or innocent. But despite that there are clearly some queries over the handling of the case whatever the real outcome. Wouldn’t want to be on the jury!

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1 person found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Guilty IMO

Can’t work out where the drive to find them innocent is coming from other than to line a bent lawyers pockets.
So many red flags to point at their guilt.
Ok to listen to but no great moments of discovery to debunk the case. Disappointing.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible podcast

Raphael Rowe is a talented man! This is a gripping true story and so well told by Raphael Rowe.

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