Menu
26/09/2013
Peru Drugs Accused Have Guilty Pleas Rejected
Prosecutors in Peru have refused to accept the guilty pleas of two women caught trying to smuggle drugs out of the country.
On Tuesday, Michaella McCollum, 20, from Dungannon in Co Tyrone, and Melissa Reid, also 20 and from Lenzie in Scotland, admitted to smuggling drugs.
It is thought the women entered the plea in order to have their sentences reduced, however prosecutor Juan Rosas told news agency AFP that they need to provide more information.
He added that he would ask for another hearing in order to allow them to make a more detailed confession.
The women currently face up to 15 years in prison, but hope their admission of guilt could reduce the sentences to six years and eight months.
Mr Rosas stated that they now need to explain why they initially argued they had been coerced by a gang of armed men.
He continued to say their first version of events were "unbelievable" and that it had "not yet been examined".
A spokesman for the prosecutors' office in Callao, where Tuesday's plea hearing took place, said: "The two drug mules' guilty pleas have not been fully accepted, as far as the prosecutor is concerned, until they give more details.
"They will be asked to give another statement before the judge explaining where the drugs came from, who supplied them and why they said they had been forced to carry them by an armed gang."
A date for the new hearing is yet to be set.
McCollum and Reid were stopped at Lima airport in August as they prepared to board a flight to Spain. When they were searched, cocaine, said to be worth £1.5m, was found hidden in food packages in their luggage.
It is understood the women told the Peruvian authorities they were working in Ibiza and did not meet before they were both kidnapped at gunpoint and forced to travel to Majorca. They claimed they were then sent to Peru and forced to carry the drugs in their luggage.
At a closed hearing in Lima on Tuesday, they entered guilty please and were told they would be sentenced on 1 October.
(JP/CD)
On Tuesday, Michaella McCollum, 20, from Dungannon in Co Tyrone, and Melissa Reid, also 20 and from Lenzie in Scotland, admitted to smuggling drugs.
It is thought the women entered the plea in order to have their sentences reduced, however prosecutor Juan Rosas told news agency AFP that they need to provide more information.
He added that he would ask for another hearing in order to allow them to make a more detailed confession.
The women currently face up to 15 years in prison, but hope their admission of guilt could reduce the sentences to six years and eight months.
Mr Rosas stated that they now need to explain why they initially argued they had been coerced by a gang of armed men.
He continued to say their first version of events were "unbelievable" and that it had "not yet been examined".
A spokesman for the prosecutors' office in Callao, where Tuesday's plea hearing took place, said: "The two drug mules' guilty pleas have not been fully accepted, as far as the prosecutor is concerned, until they give more details.
"They will be asked to give another statement before the judge explaining where the drugs came from, who supplied them and why they said they had been forced to carry them by an armed gang."
A date for the new hearing is yet to be set.
McCollum and Reid were stopped at Lima airport in August as they prepared to board a flight to Spain. When they were searched, cocaine, said to be worth £1.5m, was found hidden in food packages in their luggage.
It is understood the women told the Peruvian authorities they were working in Ibiza and did not meet before they were both kidnapped at gunpoint and forced to travel to Majorca. They claimed they were then sent to Peru and forced to carry the drugs in their luggage.
At a closed hearing in Lima on Tuesday, they entered guilty please and were told they would be sentenced on 1 October.
(JP/CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 November 2024
Man Arrested After Dangerous Driving Pursuit And Assault Allegations
A man is currently in police custody following a dangerous driving pursuit and subsequent arrest on suspicion of multiple offences. The incident began in the early hours of Saturday, 16th November, when police received a report of an assault in the Listooder Park area of Saintfield.
Man Arrested After Dangerous Driving Pursuit And Assault Allegations
A man is currently in police custody following a dangerous driving pursuit and subsequent arrest on suspicion of multiple offences. The incident began in the early hours of Saturday, 16th November, when police received a report of an assault in the Listooder Park area of Saintfield.
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.
02 October 2013
Peru Pair Face 6-Month Investigation
Michaella McCollum Connolly and Melissa Reid have been told they could face a six-month investigation if their guilty pleas are not accepted by the prosecution in charge of the case.
Peru Pair Face 6-Month Investigation
Michaella McCollum Connolly and Melissa Reid have been told they could face a six-month investigation if their guilty pleas are not accepted by the prosecution in charge of the case.
02 December 2019
PSNI Welcome Jail Term For Gun & Drugs Charges
The PSNI's Paramilitary Crime Task Force has welcomed the sentencing of a man convicted of firearm and drugs offences. John Neale, aged 52, was sentenced to five and three years, to run concurrently, at Belfast Crown Court on Friday 29 November.
PSNI Welcome Jail Term For Gun & Drugs Charges
The PSNI's Paramilitary Crime Task Force has welcomed the sentencing of a man convicted of firearm and drugs offences. John Neale, aged 52, was sentenced to five and three years, to run concurrently, at Belfast Crown Court on Friday 29 November.
07 September 2012
Women's Names Kept Out Of Derry Drugs Courtroom
Two alleged drug dealers have appeared in court in Londonderry without being named. The judge agreed not to name the women at the hearing, on the basis that there could be threats to their lives made by "third parties". Self-styled vigilante group Republican Action Against Drugs has been behind a string of 'punishment'-style attacks in the town.
Women's Names Kept Out Of Derry Drugs Courtroom
Two alleged drug dealers have appeared in court in Londonderry without being named. The judge agreed not to name the women at the hearing, on the basis that there could be threats to their lives made by "third parties". Self-styled vigilante group Republican Action Against Drugs has been behind a string of 'punishment'-style attacks in the town.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.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.
