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British drug smuggler released from Peru prison British drug smuggler released from Peru prison
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One of the British drug smugglers jailed in Peru has been released from prison, her solicitor has confirmed.One of the British drug smugglers jailed in Peru has been released from prison, her solicitor has confirmed.
Michaella McCollum, 23, from Dungannon in Co Tyrone, who was imprisoned alongside Melissa Reid, 23, from Lenzie in Scotland after the two were caught with 11kg (24lbs) of cocaine in August 2013, was released effectively on parole on Thursday but is still waiting to hear the full terms of her release.Michaella McCollum, 23, from Dungannon in Co Tyrone, who was imprisoned alongside Melissa Reid, 23, from Lenzie in Scotland after the two were caught with 11kg (24lbs) of cocaine in August 2013, was released effectively on parole on Thursday but is still waiting to hear the full terms of her release.
The pair were arrested at Lima’s international airport when cocaine thought to be worth £1.5m was found hidden inside packages of food. Though the two initially claimed they had been kidnapped and forced to carry the drugs, they later admitted attempting to smuggle the cocaine from Peru to Spain, and were jailed for six years and eight months.The pair were arrested at Lima’s international airport when cocaine thought to be worth £1.5m was found hidden inside packages of food. Though the two initially claimed they had been kidnapped and forced to carry the drugs, they later admitted attempting to smuggle the cocaine from Peru to Spain, and were jailed for six years and eight months.
Kevin Winters, McCollum’s solicitor, told the Press Association: “I can confirm Michaella has been released from jail and I’m waiting to hear the outcome of the judicial process”. McCollum was freed under new legislation on early prison release introduced in Peru last year, and has served two years and three months. Kevin Winters, McCollum’s solicitor, told the Press Association: “I can confirm Michaella has been released from jail and I’m waiting to hear the outcome of the judicial process”. McCollum was freed under new legislation on early prison release introduced in Peru last year, having served two years and three months.
Related: British drug mules jailed for more than six years in PeruRelated: British drug mules jailed for more than six years in Peru
Though there have been moves recently to allow the women to serve the remainder of their sentences in Northern Ireland and Scotland, Winters stressed McCollum was not freed under any repatriation scheme or other protocol between Peru and the UK, and that a pending judicial hearing would determine the conditions of her parole. Though there have been moves recently to allow the women to serve the remainder of their sentences in Northern Ireland and Scotland, Winters stressed McCollum was not freed under any repatriation scheme or other protocol between Peru and the UK, and that a pending judicial hearing would determine the conditions of her parole. Reid remains in prison in Peru.
It was not yet known if the terms of her release would allow her to return home or if she would have to remain in Peru for some time. Reid remains in prison in Peru.
“At this stage it remains unclear when Michaella may be eligible to return home,” said her lawyer. “We are working with her lawyers in Peru and hope to be in a position to clarify further as soon as possible”. A judicial process will now determine any conditions attached to her effective parole.“At this stage it remains unclear when Michaella may be eligible to return home,” said her lawyer. “We are working with her lawyers in Peru and hope to be in a position to clarify further as soon as possible”. A judicial process will now determine any conditions attached to her effective parole.
Moves were being made to attempt to repatriate McCollum to Northern Ireland, and last year Stormont justice minister, David Ford, approved an application for her repatriation on several grounds, including the difficulty encountered in maintaining family contact. A transfer request for Reid had also been approved by the Scottish prison service in January 2012, but it remains a decision for the Peruvian authorities.Moves were being made to attempt to repatriate McCollum to Northern Ireland, and last year Stormont justice minister, David Ford, approved an application for her repatriation on several grounds, including the difficulty encountered in maintaining family contact. A transfer request for Reid had also been approved by the Scottish prison service in January 2012, but it remains a decision for the Peruvian authorities.
Winters has described the conditions in which they were being held as horrendous. The pair had previously been in Lima’s Virgen de Fatima prison, but were moved to the Ancon 2 prison where horrific conditions reportedly had McCollum crammed in to a cell with 30 other prisoners, with extremely poor sanitation and toilet facilities. Winters has described the conditions in which they were being held as horrendous. The pair had previously been in Lima’s Virgen de Fatima prison, but were moved to the Ancon 2 prison where horrific conditions reportedly had McCollum crammed in a cell with 30 other prisoners, with extremely poor sanitation and toilet facilities.
The two had faced the prospect of a maximum 15-year prison term but struck a plea bargain to secure a shorter sentence.The two had faced the prospect of a maximum 15-year prison term but struck a plea bargain to secure a shorter sentence.