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Peru drugs woman Michaella McCollum 'to plead guilty' Peru: Michaella McCollum and Melissa Reid's drug trial under way
(about 2 hours later)
A woman from the UK accused of trying to smuggle cocaine out of Peru is expected to enter a guilty plea later. The trial of two women accused of trying to smuggling cocaine out of Peru is under way.
Michaella McCollum, of Dungannon, Co Tyrone, is due to appear in court in Lima on Tuesday along with Melissa Reid, of Lenzie, near Glasgow. Michaella McCollum, of Dungannon, Co Tyrone, and Melissa Reid, of Lenzie, near Glasgow, are appearing in court in Lima.
They were caught with £1.5m worth of the drug at Lima airport, but say they were forced into carrying the drugs.They were caught with £1.5m worth of the drug at Lima airport, but say they were forced into carrying the drugs.
Ms Reid has already indicated an intention to plead guilty in exchange for a shorter sentence. Both women are expected to enter guilty pleas in exchange for a shorter sentence.
On Tuesday, the pair were transported by van under armed guard from the prison where they are being held to Callao prison where the trial is taking place, Associated Press news agency reported.
The two women's lawyer said he was barred by law from making any statements on the case until after sentencing as he arrived at court, AP said.
Meanwhile, the UK Foreign Office has confirmed there is a prisoner transfer agreement between the UK and Peru.Meanwhile, the UK Foreign Office has confirmed there is a prisoner transfer agreement between the UK and Peru.
Refused bail
The Ministry of Justice added that the country receiving the prisoner would pay the cost of them serving their sentence.The Ministry of Justice added that the country receiving the prisoner would pay the cost of them serving their sentence.
Prisoners who want to serve their sentence in either Northern Ireland or Scotland have to apply to the prison service for their part of the UK.Prisoners who want to serve their sentence in either Northern Ireland or Scotland have to apply to the prison service for their part of the UK.
A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Prison Service said Ms McCollum would need to make representation initially to the Peruvian authorities.A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Prison Service said Ms McCollum would need to make representation initially to the Peruvian authorities.
Refused bail Ms Reid's father Billy has said she hopes a guilty plea will allow her to serve her sentence in the UK.
Ms Reid's father Billy has said she hopes a guilty plea will allow her to serve her term in the UK.
The two women were refused bail by a judge when they appeared in court in Callao last month.The two women were refused bail by a judge when they appeared in court in Callao last month.
Ms McCollum and Ms Reid were stopped at Lima airport in August as they attempted to board a flight to Spain. Ms McCollum and Ms Reid, both 20, were stopped at Lima airport in August as they attempted to board a flight to Spain.
They were found to be carrying 11kg (24lbs) of cocaine hidden in food packets.They were found to be carrying 11kg (24lbs) of cocaine hidden in food packets.
The women have reportedly 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.The women have reportedly 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 have claimed they were then sent to Peru and forced to carry the drugs in their luggage.They have claimed they were then sent to Peru and forced to carry the drugs in their luggage.