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Peru drugs: Michaella McCollum and Melissa Reid admit charge | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Two women from the UK have pleaded guilty to attempting to smuggle 11kg of cocaine out of Peru. | |
Michaella McCollum, of Dungannon, Co Tyrone, and Melissa Reid, of Lenzie, near Glasgow, appeared before a judge at a closed hearing in Lima. | |
The women - both aged 20 - were caught with the drugs - said to be worth £1.5m - at Lima airport, and had said they were forced into carrying the drugs. | |
It is understood the pleas were made in exchange for a shorter sentence. | |
A spokesman for the Peruvian court confirmed they had admitted the offences. | |
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. | |
Ms McCollum and Ms Reid, both 20, 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. |
The UK Foreign Office has confirmed there is a prisoner transfer agreement between the UK and Peru. | |
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. | |
A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Prison Service said Ms McCollum would need to make representation initially to the Peruvian authorities. |