Menu
20/08/2013
Peru Drugs Case - Accused Arrive In Court
Two British women have arrived in court in the Peruvian capital Lima to hear the charges against them, after they attempted to board a plane with 11kg of cocaine in their luggage.
20-year-olds Michaella McCollum from Dungannon and Melissa Reid from Lenzie near Glasgow have been accused of attempting to smuggle £1.5m worth of cocaine into Spain.
The women were stopped two weeks ago at Jorge Chavez airport in the Peruvian capital. Upon searching their luggage, airport staff found cocaine hidden inside food packages.
They have denied accusations that they were acting as drug mules, and say they were forced to carry the baggage by a drug gang, who threatened to kill them if they did not agree.
They say they were forced into the operation in Ibiza, where they had been working over the summer.
The pair arrived at court today to hear the charges against them.
It is unknown whether they intend to enter a 'not guilty' plea.
Many commentators have said pleading guilty would reduce the amount of time they would spend in jail, given the evidence against them.
Miss McCollum and Miss Reid have been told they could face three years in prison before they are even tried, if they are refused bail.
On Monday, Ms McCollum's solicitor Peter Madden made a public statement in which he denied his client's involvement in drug smuggling and refuted some claims made by newspapers that the accused had dealt in the drugs trade while working in Ibiza.
If convicted, the pair face eight or nine years in jail. But if the court decides they were acting as members of an organised gang, they could face 20 - 25 years.
(IT/CD)
20-year-olds Michaella McCollum from Dungannon and Melissa Reid from Lenzie near Glasgow have been accused of attempting to smuggle £1.5m worth of cocaine into Spain.
The women were stopped two weeks ago at Jorge Chavez airport in the Peruvian capital. Upon searching their luggage, airport staff found cocaine hidden inside food packages.
They have denied accusations that they were acting as drug mules, and say they were forced to carry the baggage by a drug gang, who threatened to kill them if they did not agree.
They say they were forced into the operation in Ibiza, where they had been working over the summer.
The pair arrived at court today to hear the charges against them.
It is unknown whether they intend to enter a 'not guilty' plea.
Many commentators have said pleading guilty would reduce the amount of time they would spend in jail, given the evidence against them.
Miss McCollum and Miss Reid have been told they could face three years in prison before they are even tried, if they are refused bail.
On Monday, Ms McCollum's solicitor Peter Madden made a public statement in which he denied his client's involvement in drug smuggling and refuted some claims made by newspapers that the accused had dealt in the drugs trade while working in Ibiza.
If convicted, the pair face eight or nine years in jail. But if the court decides they were acting as members of an organised gang, they could face 20 - 25 years.
(IT/CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 May 2017
Man Charged Over Suspected Drugs Offences
The PSNI joined forces with South Wales Police and arrested a 27-year-old man over suspected drugs offences following a search. The man was taken back to NI and charged over the supply of Diazepam and Xanax.
Man Charged Over Suspected Drugs Offences
The PSNI joined forces with South Wales Police and arrested a 27-year-old man over suspected drugs offences following a search. The man was taken back to NI and charged over the supply of Diazepam and Xanax.
05 December 2016
Investigation Launched After Death Of Man Following Suspected Drugs Incident
Police have launched an investigation after the death of a 27-year-old man following a suspected drugs incident. The man died on Sunday, 04 December, following the incident in the Victoria Street area of Belfast.
Investigation Launched After Death Of Man Following Suspected Drugs Incident
Police have launched an investigation after the death of a 27-year-old man following a suspected drugs incident. The man died on Sunday, 04 December, following the incident in the Victoria Street area of Belfast.
01 April 2016
Michaella McCollum Released From Prison - Reports
A drugs mule from Northern Ireland has reportedly been released from prison in Peru. Michaella McCollum from Co Tyrone and Melissa Reid from Scotland were attempting to board a plane with 24lbs of cocaine stashed inside food packets in their luggage when they were stopped and arrested in Lima.
Michaella McCollum Released From Prison - Reports
A drugs mule from Northern Ireland has reportedly been released from prison in Peru. Michaella McCollum from Co Tyrone and Melissa Reid from Scotland were attempting to board a plane with 24lbs of cocaine stashed inside food packets in their luggage when they were stopped and arrested in Lima.
20 June 2019
Man Jailed For Drugs Offences
A Newtownabbey man has been handed a custodial sentence for a series of drugs offences following police raids as part of a paramilitary probe. 49-year-old William Axon will serve two years imprisonment, half in custody and half on licence.
Man Jailed For Drugs Offences
A Newtownabbey man has been handed a custodial sentence for a series of drugs offences following police raids as part of a paramilitary probe. 49-year-old William Axon will serve two years imprisonment, half in custody and half on licence.
10 February 2017
Two Men Charged Over Suspected Drugs Find
Two men have been charged in connection with a suspected drugs find in Belfast. Police seized cocaine and herbal cannabis, worth an estimated street value of £160,000, after stopping a car in the Duncrue Street area on Wednesday night, 08 February.
Two Men Charged Over Suspected Drugs Find
Two men have been charged in connection with a suspected drugs find in Belfast. Police seized cocaine and herbal cannabis, worth an estimated street value of £160,000, after stopping a car in the Duncrue Street area on Wednesday night, 08 February.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
