The two women arrested on suspicion of trying to smuggle cocaine out of Peru have been formally charged, Sky News has confirmed.

Michaella McCollum Connolly, from Dungannon in County Tyrone, and Melissa Reid, from Lenzie outside Glasgow, could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

The pair has spent the last week in custody in Santa Monica women’s prison, Lima, over drug trafficking allegations.

Michaella McCollum Connolly and Melissa Reid have been formally charged.

They were taken in after authorities found 26lbs of cocaine, with an estimated worth of €1.7m, hidden inside dried food packages in their luggage as they tried to board a flight from Lima to Madrid.

Ms McCollum Connolly and Ms Reid, both aged 20, have denied the allegations and claim they were forced to carry the bags by armed men. It is expected they will enter ‘not guilty’ pleas.

According to reports the women, who met each other while working in Ibiza, could face up to three years in prison before their trial if refused bail.

 

The pair could face up to three years in prison before the trial even begins.

Since the news broke, there have been numerous media reports about Ms McCollum Connolly and her involvement with drugs. Her lawyer Peter Madden, who flew out to Peru last Friday, has denied these.

He said: “Michaela McCollum did not owe any money to any drugs dealer, she was not and is not involved in the druigs trade, she has no criminal record, she has never been in trouble with the police in her life.”

Madden also revealed that the conditions in the holding cells where the women are being held in custody are "pretty grim."