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Convicted drug smuggler Melissa Reid allowed to return to UK Convicted drug smuggler Melissa Reid allowed to return to UK
(35 minutes later)
Melissa Reid, the Briton convicted of drug smuggling in Peru, can return to the UK after authorities agreed to expel her from the country, the Foreign Office has confirmed.Melissa Reid, the Briton convicted of drug smuggling in Peru, can return to the UK after authorities agreed to expel her from the country, the Foreign Office has confirmed.
Reid, 22, from Lenzie, near Glasgow, and Michaella McCollum, 23, from Dungannon, County Tyrone, were jailed in 2013 after trying to smuggle cocaine worth £1.5m from Peru to Spain.Reid, 22, from Lenzie, near Glasgow, and Michaella McCollum, 23, from Dungannon, County Tyrone, were jailed in 2013 after trying to smuggle cocaine worth £1.5m from Peru to Spain.
A judge granted an order to expel Reid on Friday and prosecutors have three working days to contest the ruling.A judge granted an order to expel Reid on Friday and prosecutors have three working days to contest the ruling.
McCollum was freed in March under new legislation on early prison release.McCollum was freed in March under new legislation on early prison release.
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that Melissa Reid has been granted expulsion from Peru. We remain in contact with Melissa, her family and local authorities.”A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that Melissa Reid has been granted expulsion from Peru. We remain in contact with Melissa, her family and local authorities.”
McCollum and Reid were caught at Lima airport trying to board a flight with 24lb (11kg) of cocaine in food packets hidden in their luggage. McCollum and Reid were caught at Lima airport trying to board a flight with 24lb (11kg) of cocaine in food packets hidden in their luggage. They claimed that they were forced into carrying the drugs, but pleaded guilty to charges and were sentenced to six years and eight months in prison.
They claimed that they were forced into carrying the drugs, but pleaded guilty to charges and were sentenced to six years and eight months in prison.
Reid’s father, Billy, 55, said his “prayers had been answered” following the court ruling. “She regrets the predicament she finds herself in, is apologetic for her actions and wants to show that she can be a credit to her family and make things right,” he said.Reid’s father, Billy, 55, said his “prayers had been answered” following the court ruling. “She regrets the predicament she finds herself in, is apologetic for her actions and wants to show that she can be a credit to her family and make things right,” he said.