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British drug smuggler: 'I might have had a lot of blood on my hands' British drug smuggler: 'I might have had a lot of blood on my hands'
(5 months later)
A drug smuggler released from prison in Peru has admitted she might have had “a lot of blood on her hands” if she had managed to transport cocaine to Europe.A drug smuggler released from prison in Peru has admitted she might have had “a lot of blood on her hands” if she had managed to transport cocaine to Europe.
Michaella McCollum, 23, from Dungannon in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, said she had acted in a moment of madness. She was freed on Thursday after spending more than two years in jail but remains in Peru, effectively on parole.Michaella McCollum, 23, from Dungannon in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, said she had acted in a moment of madness. She was freed on Thursday after spending more than two years in jail but remains in Peru, effectively on parole.
Related: British drug smuggler released from Peru prison
McCollum and Melissa Reid, from Lenzie in Scotland, were arrested at Lima international airport in August 2013 with 11kg (24lb) of cocaine, thought to be worth £1.5m. They were jailed for six years and eight months after admitting trying to smuggle the drugs to Spain. Reid is still in prison.McCollum and Melissa Reid, from Lenzie in Scotland, were arrested at Lima international airport in August 2013 with 11kg (24lb) of cocaine, thought to be worth £1.5m. They were jailed for six years and eight months after admitting trying to smuggle the drugs to Spain. Reid is still in prison.
McCollum told the Irish broadcaster RTÉ in an interview to be screened on Sunday night: “I have forgotten the things that everybody takes for granted in life.” Had she successfully carried the cocaine to Spain, “I probably would have had a lot of blood on my hands,” she said.McCollum told the Irish broadcaster RTÉ in an interview to be screened on Sunday night: “I have forgotten the things that everybody takes for granted in life.” Had she successfully carried the cocaine to Spain, “I probably would have had a lot of blood on my hands,” she said.
“I potentially could have filled Europe with a lot of drugs. I could potentially have killed a lot of people, not directly, but I could have caused a lot of harm to people.“I potentially could have filled Europe with a lot of drugs. I could potentially have killed a lot of people, not directly, but I could have caused a lot of harm to people.
“I made a decision in a moment of madness. I am not a bad person, I want to demonstrate that I’m a good person.”“I made a decision in a moment of madness. I am not a bad person, I want to demonstrate that I’m a good person.”
Related: British drug mules jailed for more than six years in Peru
She and Reid had at first claimed they had been forced into carrying the drugs but later pleaded guilty to charges. They faced serving six years and eight months in prison, after a plea bargain reduced the prospect of sentences up to 15 years.She and Reid had at first claimed they had been forced into carrying the drugs but later pleaded guilty to charges. They faced serving six years and eight months in prison, after a plea bargain reduced the prospect of sentences up to 15 years.
McCollum was freed under new legislation on early prison release introduced in Peru last year, having served two years and three months.McCollum was freed under new legislation on early prison release introduced in Peru last year, having served two years and three months.
The pair had previously been held at Lima’s Virgen de Fatima prison but were moved to the Ancon 2 prison, where McCollum was reportedly crammed in a cell with 30 other prisoners, with extremely poor sanitation and toilet facilities.The pair had previously been held at Lima’s Virgen de Fatima prison but were moved to the Ancon 2 prison, where McCollum was reportedly crammed in a cell with 30 other prisoners, with extremely poor sanitation and toilet facilities.
There had been moves recently to allow the women to serve the remainder of their sentences in Northern Ireland and Scotland. Kevin Winters, McCollum’s solicitor, said on Friday that further judicial moves had to be completed before the terms of her release were determined. It was unclear when she might return home.There had been moves recently to allow the women to serve the remainder of their sentences in Northern Ireland and Scotland. Kevin Winters, McCollum’s solicitor, said on Friday that further judicial moves had to be completed before the terms of her release were determined. It was unclear when she might return home.
A report by the Irish Independent on Saturday suggested McCollum would probably remain in Lima as a volunteer for a local church and also work with people with Aids.A report by the Irish Independent on Saturday suggested McCollum would probably remain in Lima as a volunteer for a local church and also work with people with Aids.
It quoted Bishop Sean Walsh, based in Lima with the eastern Catholic church, as saying: “Michaella has been an exemplary prisoner. She learned Spanish. She has shown that she is intelligent, innovative and productive.It quoted Bishop Sean Walsh, based in Lima with the eastern Catholic church, as saying: “Michaella has been an exemplary prisoner. She learned Spanish. She has shown that she is intelligent, innovative and productive.
“I met with her on the day of her court appearance. She looked great and, of course, she was a little nervous until the announcement.”“I met with her on the day of her court appearance. She looked great and, of course, she was a little nervous until the announcement.”