07 August 2023 , 09:25
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Two young women who were at the centre of a drug bust which made headlines around the world 10 years ago have moved on with their lives.
Michaella McCollum and Melissa Reid were stopped in Peru carrying 11kg worth of cocaine as they tried to leave the country back in 2013, as they became known as the Peru Two. Michaella was working as a part-time model and nightclub hostess in Ibiza when she and Melissa hid the class A drug inside porridge and jelly packets to help mask the smell.
Before boarding a long-haul flight to Madrid in Spain, they were caught at Lima Airport by customs officers and were arrested. They claimed at the time they had been forced by an armed gang to carry the class A drugs and were paid just £4,000 each for their efforts.
Now, 10 years on, Michaella who was originally from Dungannon, County Tyrone, graduated from the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland with a degree in BBA in Business Management, Marketing and Related Support Services. She celebrated with her twin sons Rio and Rafael, as they posed for photographs.She wrote on Instagram: "10 years ago I was graduating with different lessons! So happy to have came this far."
They were arrested in 2013 (AFP via Getty Images)On March 31, 2016, Michaella was released from prison after applying to be freed on parole after the initial prospect of remaining in Peru for up to six years. Her accomplice Melissa was released a few months later on June 21 after the Peruvian authorities agreed to ‘expel’ her from the country.
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They were taken to Virgen de Fatima prison in Lima, whilst in Peru, but were later transferred to Ancon 2 prison with some reports stating they were in cells with 30 other prisoners.
Late last year, docu-series High: Confessions of an Ibiza Drug Mule was released, narrated by Michaella. She also released a book about her Peru ordeal in 2019, called You'll Never See Daylight Again – which was later turned into the BBC/Netflix series. She has recently seen her popularity boom, and is considered a celebrity in her native Northern Ireland, where she boasts more than 100k Instagram followers and is a public speaker at events.
Michaella McCollum graduated last month (michaella_mccollum/Instagram)
Melissa Reid is now a support worker (AP)Glasgow-born Melissa has been working has a support working at a homeless shelter since her own release from prison and has been working with addicts to help them get change their lives. Colleagues praised her motivational skills and branded her a "rising star" in the profession.
One source told the Sun: “Melissa is doing really well and moving on with her career. The unit helps people who abuse drugs and alcohol. Apparently she came in to oversee the service and has landed a manager’s role. As far as I’m aware, there was an incident where one resident was thrown out by her as they were suspected of dealing.”