Peru Drugs Case Handed To State Prosecutor

Peruvian police are expected to hand the investigation into alleged drug smuggling by two British women to the state prosecutor's office later, to allow formal charges to be made.

Michaella McCollum Connolly from Dungannon, County Tyrone, and Melissa Reid, from near Glasgow in Scotland, were arrested two weeks ago while attempting to board a flight from Lima to Spain.

Airport officials say they found 11kg of cocaine, thought to have a street value of £1.5m, in their luggage.

When quizzed by police, the two women, both 20 years old, said they did not know they were carrying the drugs.

The pair claim they did not previously know each other until they became involved with a dangerous drug gang operating out of Ibiza in Spain, where they had both been working over the summer holidays.

They say the gang forced them to act as drug mules between Peru and Spain by threatening to kill them and harm their families if they did not do as asked.

Miss McCollum Connolly is currently being represented by Northern Irish law firm Madden & Finucane. Peter Madden has flown to Lima to meet with her. A statement from the firm said: "Michaella has been questioned by the police and has denied involvement in any criminal offence. She will be appearing before an examining judge shortly.

"Michaella's family are obviously shocked and distressed by the recent events but are confident that Michaella will be exonerated. The family fully support her and they are making arrangements to travel to Peru. They have contacted support groups in Lima to ensure that her current needs are met."

Peter Madden said: "I spoke to Michaella last night and she emphasised that she denied that she was guilty of any offence. She is well. She is not on hunger strike. She is finding it difficult to cope with the current situation, so far from home, but is optimistic.

"The family want privacy at this time and hopefully this will be respected by the press and media."

(IT/JP)