Two Americans trapped in China for over a decade after drug-smuggling scams

Two Americans have spent over a decade in Chinese prisons after falling victim to drug-smuggling scams. Dawn Michelle Hunt, a 54-year-old artist and former flight attendant, was tricked into carrying purses laced with hidden narcotics. Nelson Wells Jr., a 52-year-old father of three, was arrested for transporting a stranger’s suitcase containing drugs. Both were convicted as 'blind mules'—unwitting carriers used by traffickers to smuggle drugs. Hunt was lured with the promise of an international prize trip, while Wells agreed to carry a suitcase without knowing its contents. Their families claim neither was aware of the hidden drugs.

Now, after more than ten years behind bars, their health has severely declined. Both suffer from chronic medical conditions that have worsened in custody. The U.S. State Department has formally requested their release on humanitarian grounds. China has signalled openness to their release—but only if the appeal comes from a high-level official. With President Donald Trump set to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping, their families are urging direct intervention. They are also pushing for new legislation to support families of Americans imprisoned abroad in similar cases.

The fate of Hunt and Wells now rests on diplomatic negotiations. Their families continue to campaign for their return, citing their deteriorating health and the circumstances of their arrests. Any decision on their release will depend on high-level discussions between the U.S. and China.