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Drug-smuggling suspects taunted via Facebook

Monday, August 19, 2013

Internet trolls have added to the distress of the family of Irish drug mule Michaella McCollum-Connolly by spouting abuse on a Facebook page set up to support her.

By Caroline ODoherty

The pair, who had been working in nightclubs in Ibiza, say were forced to make the trip by a Spanish drugs gang who threatened them at gunpoint.

However, their story has attracted scorn on a Facebook page set up to campaign for their release, with contributors criticising the women and making tasteless jokes about their plight.

A senior police officer in Ibiza who heads the islands drugs and organised crime unit has said their version of events was not credible.

Sgt Alberto Arean Varela said: Sincerely, with my experience, I dont think these girls were forced to do this.

Because, particularly when you go to South America, you need to pass several consuls so the first thing you do is go to the passport consul and say: Listen, this is what is happening to me.

Both women are due before the courts today or tomorrow to have their detention reviewed but have been warned not to expect a change in circumstances.

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Drug-smuggling suspects taunted via Facebook

Neighbours of suspect Melissa Reid claim she held 'wild drug parties' They say Reid was always talking about 'how many drugs she had taken' Spanish police chief casts doubt on girls' story, saying he doesn't believe they were acting under duress Reid and Michaella McCollum Connolly were stopped at Peru airport with 1.5m worth of cocaine on them The pair say they were forced at gunpoint into the drug trade Holidaymakers in Ibiza speak of roaring drug trade that sucks girls in Reid 'celebrates' her 20th birthday in Peru prison with birthday cake from her father

By Paul Bracchi and Victoria Allen

PUBLISHED: 17:58 EST, 16 August 2013 | UPDATED: 12:36 EST, 17 August 2013

Bar Amsterdam is down a dimly lit side street in the west end of San Antonio. There are bigger, brasher and better-known venues in Ibiza, but few enjoy such a sleazy reputation.

Drugs and large quantities of cash have been found on the premises during numerous police raids on the establishment.

A few years ago, it was featured in a BBC documentary called Drugland: Ibiza. Undercover reporters were filmed buying everything from ecstasy to cocaine over the bar as easily as a bottle of beer or a Sex On The Beach vodka cocktail.

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Party girl: Michaella McCollum Connolly, 20, had been working as a nightclub hostess in Ibiza party town San Antonio

Innocent? Melissa Reid (left) and Michaella McCollum Connolly (right) say they were forced into the drug trade by gun-wielding gangsters

The most hard-hitting revelation in the programme, however, was not that drugs were so easily available on the Balearic island hardly front-page news but the fact that the people who controlled the illicit trade were mainly British, in particular, gangs from Manchester and Liverpool.

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Peru drugs: How innocent are Melissa Reid and Michaella McCollum Connolly?

Neighbours of suspect Melissa Reid claim she held 'wild drug parties' They say Reid was always talking about 'how many drugs she had taken' Reid and Michaella McCollum Connolly were stopped at Peru airport with 1.5m worth of cocaine on them The pair say they were forced at gunpoint into the drug trade Holidaymakers in Ibiza speak of roaring drug trade that sucks girls in Reid 'celebrates' her 20th birthday in Peru prison with birthday cake from her father

By Paul Bracchi and Victoria Allen

PUBLISHED: 17:58 EST, 16 August 2013 | UPDATED: 22:01 EST, 16 August 2013

Bar Amsterdam is down a dimly lit side street in the west end of San Antonio. There are bigger, brasher and better-known venues in Ibiza, but few enjoy such a sleazy reputation.

Drugs and large quantities of cash have been found on the premises during numerous police raids on the establishment.

A few years ago, it was featured in a BBC documentary called Drugland: Ibiza. Undercover reporters were filmed buying everything from ecstasy to cocaine over the bar as easily as a bottle of beer or a Sex On The Beach vodka cocktail.

Party girl: Michaella McCollum Connolly, 20, had been working as a nightclub hostess in Ibiza party town San Antonio

Innocent? Melissa Reid (left) and Michaella McCollum Connolly (right) say they were forced into the drug trade by gun-wielding gangsters

The most hard-hitting revelation in the programme, however, was not that drugs were so easily available on the Balearic island hardly front-page news but the fact that the people who controlled the illicit trade were mainly British, in particular, gangs from Manchester and Liverpool.

Ibiza has become an extension of their turf in Moss Side or Toxteth, giving them access to a much bigger market. Around 700,000 Britons travel to Ibiza every year, and one in three of those aged between 16 and 34 takes drugs during their visit, according to a recent survey.

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'Ketamine-fuelled 7am raves' and the question: Just how innocent are the two British drug mules who say they were ...

Neighbours of suspect Melissa Reid claim she held 'wild drug parties' They say Reid was always talking about 'how many drugs she had taken' Reid and Michaella McCollum Connolly were stopped at Peru airport with 1.5m worth of cocaine on them The pair say they were forced at gunpoint into the drug trade Holidaymakers in Ibiza speak of roaring drug trade that sucks girls in Reid 'celebrates' her 20th birthday in Peru prison with birthday cake from her father

By Paul Bracchi and Victoria Allen

PUBLISHED: 17:58 EST, 16 August 2013 | UPDATED: 22:01 EST, 16 August 2013

Bar Amsterdam is down a dimly lit side street in the west end of San Antonio. There are bigger, brasher and better-known venues in Ibiza, but few enjoy such a sleazy reputation.

Drugs and large quantities of cash have been found on the premises during numerous police raids on the establishment.

A few years ago, it was featured in a BBC documentary called Drugland: Ibiza. Undercover reporters were filmed buying everything from ecstasy to cocaine over the bar as easily as a bottle of beer or a Sex On The Beach vodka cocktail.

Party girl: Michaella McCollum Connolly, 20, had been working as a nightclub hostess in Ibiza party town San Antonio

Innocent? Melissa Reid (left) and Michaella McCollum Connolly (right) say they were forced into the drug trade by gun-wielding gangsters

The most hard-hitting revelation in the programme, however, was not that drugs were so easily available on the Balearic island hardly front-page news but the fact that the people who controlled the illicit trade were mainly British, in particular, gangs from Manchester and Liverpool.

Ibiza has become an extension of their turf in Moss Side or Toxteth, giving them access to a much bigger market. Around 700,000 Britons travel to Ibiza every year, and one in three of those aged between 16 and 34 takes drugs during their visit, according to a recent survey.

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Peru drugs: How innicent are Melissa Reid and Michaella McCollum Connolly?

Melissa Reid, 19, said he life had been ruined (Pic: SPLASH)

Melissa Reid, 19, said her life had been turned upside down by the events and that she longed to be home.

She said: "If I could turn back time I think I'd put a gun to my head and get it all over with quickly. I'd love to be able to get home as soon as possible, but I know that's not going to happen.

"I understand that even if we help police, we're going to prison for a long time."

She was arrested along with 20-year-old Michaella McCollum Connolly from Northern Ireland while trying to board a flight from the Peruvian capital to Spain last week.

The women claim they are victims of a violent drugs gang who coerced them into carrying the drugs, and say they have resigned themselves to the likelihood that they face a lengthy prison term.

At that point I didn't know what was in the suitcase,

Melissa Reid

Police are waiting for a translator before officially questioning them, which is expected to happen in the next few days, the Associated Press said.

Ms Reid and Ms McCollum Connolly said they were given the 24lb (11kg) of cocaine outside their hotel, the Hotel Colonial San Agustin in the capital Lima, the day before were due to fly back to Spain, the Daily Mail said.

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'I wish I'd killed myself' British girl's fear as she's held on £1.5m Peru cocaine smuggle