An Irish woman arrested on suspicion of trying to smuggle cocaine worth €1.7 million out of Peru has reportedly been taken to the Virgen de Fatima jail in Lima. Michaella McCollum from Dungannon in Co. Tyrone - along with Scottish woman Melissa Reid face a maximum prison sentence of 15 years if convicted of illegal drugs trafficking.
The women were arrested as they waited to board a flight to Madrid from Lima earlier this month. They told investigators they were forced to carry the drugs back to Europe by gangsters who had threatened them and their families.
The pair were formally charged on Wednesday with the promotion of drug trafficking and they were refused bail.
It is thought the two could now face up to three years in prison while awaiting a trial.
It has also been revealed that the two have made requested for croissants, jam, Pringles crisps and baby oil to make life easier in prison.
In a shopping list given to Melissa's father Billy on Monday they also ask for bread, Nutella chocolate spread, strawberry yogurt and a pack of cards.
Nutella, Pringles and a sports bra - the wish list of the two young women awaiting trial on drugs charges in Peru. pic.twitter.com/kFzAOti2WN
— David Blevins (@skydavidblevins) August 22, 2013
At their first court appearance yesterday, Judge Dilo Huaman questioned the women's defence that they had been threatened at gunpoint if they refused to carry the drugs in their luggage. The judge asked why the pair did not ask for help when they had the opportunity at the airport.
The women responded that they were being threatened by "someone anonymous". The prosecutor told the court that their story was "incoherent".
The pair were led into the courtroom for the administrative hearing in handcuffs, as Reid's parents who flew out from the UK to support her looked on.
McCollum's lawyer Peter Madden said they were effectively beginning a prison sentence as the pair were told in court it was unlikely they would be granted bail.
"Their main concern at the minute is that they may be separated, sent to different prisons," he said.
"They are very concerned that might happen. They did not know each other before this started, they have now become best friends."
Conditions in Pervian jails have come in for criticism amid reports of over-crowding and unclean conditions.
