San Francisco: Peyton Eidson's former life in the tranquility of north Queensland's rainforests was a world away as he shuffled into a San Francisco courtroom with a motley crew of other bedraggled defendants.

"Let's go," a US Marshal said as the group came through a side door.

Marijuana plants in a grow house. Credit:New York Times

"Keep it tight."

Mr Eidson, 72, had lived a secret life for almost 30 years in Australia and became such a beloved member of the town of Julatten where he operated a health spa that two of Queensland's best known politicians, Federal MPs Warren Entsch and Bob Katter, publicly vouched for him after his identity was revealed.