Tyrone woman arrested in Peru on suspicion of drug smuggling has been charged

Two women arrested in Peru on suspicion of drug smuggling have been charged and face a maximum sentence of 15 years if convicted.
Michaella McCollum, from Dungannon in Co Tyrone, and Melissa Reid, from near Glasgow, are accused of trying to smuggle cocaine with a street value of 1.7 million euro out of the country.
Ms McCollum’s lawyer Peter Madden said both women would plead not guilty.
20 year old Michaella McCollum from Co Tyrone and her co accused Melissa Reid from near Glasgow in Scotland were arrested two weeks ago whilst trying to board a flight from Lima to Madrid with 1.7 million euro worth of cocaine.
They have been held in custody since then – and insist they were forced to carry the drugs by an armed gang.
At around 9 o’clock local time last night, the pair were formally charged with drug trafficking in court in Lima – their families were not allowed inside during proceedings.
Michaela’s solicitor, Peter Madden says the pair are currently in a holding cell and has described conditions there as “grim”.
Both women will be sent to the high security women’s prison Ancon 2, which is in the desert, north of Lima.
If convicted, they could be jailed for up to 15 years.