21/08/2013

UK Women Officially Charged With Drug Trafficking

Two women suspected of trying to smuggle 11kg of cocaine out of Peru have been officially charged after two weeks in custody.

Melissa Reid from Lenzie near Glasgow and Michaella McCollum, of Dungannon in Northern Ireland, were found to have cocaine with an estimated street value of £1.5m, hidden in their luggage as they tried to board a flight from Peru to Madrid.

The two women, both aged 20, have maintained their innocence since they were arrested, claiming that they were forced to carry the drugs.

They had been kept in holding cells for two weeks in Lima, Peru, before being moved to Callao to appear before a judge yesterday (20 August).

They were officially charged with trafficking drugs and could face up to 15 years in prison. It is understood that the women could also face an extended time in a Peruvian prison while awaiting trial.

(MH/JP)

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