2 British girls arrested in Peru with 11kg of cocaine

[Flashback]

Peru drugs arrests: Video and pictures of moment British girls were stopped by customs at airport - Mirror Online

From the moment they were arrested as suspected drug runners, Melissa Reid and Michaella McCollum Connolly have protested their innocence.

The terrified pair told disbelieving customs officers they knew nothing of the 11kg of cocaine worth £1.5million found in their bags as they tried to fly out of Peru.

And they have repeatedly denied knowingly trying to smuggle the drug back to Spain, where they both worked on the party island of Ibiza.

In a video-taped police interview soon after last week’s dramatic airport bust, Melissa tells a heavily-accented officer how she was made to carry the bags – and had no idea what was in them.

Some interesting things in there about the drug cartels seeking out people like this 'forcing' them to do such runs.

 

[Mal]

"From what we know from recent cases the mules are often shown a great time while they are out there in Spain and many of them are actually supplied drugs for free.

“It’s only after a few weeks that it is explained to them in no uncertain terms that nothing is for free.

"They are then manipulated, *threatened and abused in to doing these runs.

When will people realise that very little in life is free?

 

[stewiejp]

They are under heavy guard for their own safety after it emerged ruthless gangsters thought to be behind the trade could try to silence them.

... and if this is true (ie, they weren't just greedy drug smugglers and they are genuinely victims, set up, and now in a bit of strife), now any nobody in the Peruvian prison system who wants to make a name for themselves with the drug cartel, knows what they look like, sound like and a bit about their history, and can "silence them" for a reward. Well done Daily Mirror....

General comments seem to think they were mules though (or mulas).

 

[Mal]

But they couldn't hide in jail anyway. Jail gangs have extensive connection and would be able to track them down regardless.

Making them an example helps some people wake up to the realities of the world.

 

[Timsboot]

Peru drugs arrests: Video and pictures of moment British girls were stopped by customs at airport - Mirror Online

Some interesting things in there about the drug cartels seeking out people like this 'forcing' them to do such runs.

"The terrified pair told disbelieving customs officers they knew nothing of the 11kg of cocaine"

There is your problem right there. Everyone knows it is dangerous to try to fly in Y with no status with more than 8kg of in cabin luggage. Almost certain to get stopped

 

[JohnK]

I feel sorry for them

Wouldn't if be great if by some miracle anyone ever involved in a drug cartel died overnight. Please Lord.

Low life scum....

 

[trooper]

True... and wouldn't it ALSO be nice if everyone caught at airports with drugs who claimed they "had no idea where they came from" were telling the truth...

Pardon my cynicism.

 

[Flashback]

There was an interesting article on the whole situation in the Evening Standard, I'll see if I can scan it in tomorrow (if I can't find it online).

 

[Flashback]

Here we go: Drink, cheap coke, back-to-back parties - and drug stooges: this is the Ibiza world - London Life - Life & Style - London Evening Standard

 

[Mal]

Here we go: Drink, cheap coke, back-to-back parties - and drug stooges: this is the Ibiza world - London Life - Life & Style - London Evening Standard

Sounds like a fun time is held by all ... until the bills come in (bit like credit card usage really). Some interesting views in that article. Young and Dumb comes to mind quite readily.