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World / Americas

Peru expels British woman jailed for drug trafficking

Published: 23 Jun 2016 - 12:00 am | Last Updated: 01 Nov 2021 - 03:55 am
Peninsula

Melissa Reid of Britain is escorted by immigration officers before boarding a flight at Lima's airport in Callao, Peru, June 21, 2016. Reid was deported from Peru along with Irish-born Michaella McCollum after they were released from jail. They were jailed for attempting to smuggle cocaine on a flight to Spain in 2013. REUTERS/Janine Costa.

 

Lima: Peru expelled a British woman held in jail for more than two years for cocaine-trafficking in the South American country, authorities said.

Melissa Reid, 22, was put on a plane on Tuesday accompanied by her father, officials said. She was bound for Britain via Madrid.

"Melissa was accompanied to the boarding lounge by immigration personnel to certify her expulsion," a spokesman for the department told AFP on Tuesday.

Reid, 22, was arrested in August 2013 at Lima's international airport along with Irish national Michaella McCollum.

Authorities said both women had cocaine in their luggage which they were trying to smuggle out of the country.

Reid was sentenced to six years and eight months in jail.

A court in Lima approved her expulsion last month after an appeal by her lawyers.

She paid a fine of about $3,000 dollars, the court said.

McCollum was granted parole last month on a conditional release and remains in Lima.

AFP