A New Documentary About 'Peru Two' Drugs Mule Michaella McCollum Is Coming To The BBC

A new documentary about the 'Peru Two' is coming to BBC and will focus on Michaella McCollum, who was arrested in August 2013 after attempting to smuggle £1.5 million worth of cocaine out of Peru.

Alongside her accomplice, 20-year-old Melissa Reid, Michaella - also 20 at the time - was sentenced to seven years in jail.

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Michaella was sent to one of the country's most brutal prisons, Ancon 2, and was incarcerated with murderers and gangsters.

The fascinating six-part series tells the story of Michaella's time in jail, how she coped and how - eventually - she was known as the highest ranking prisoner in her wing.

Viewers will hear how the 20-year-old, who often wondered if she would make it out of the jail alive, also went on to run a pop up beauty salon for her fellow inmates.

With unique access to Michaella, as well as her family and friends, the documentary delves into how a girl from rural Ireland - who didn't even know where Peru was - managed to become embroiled in one of the riskiest and most high profile crimes.

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In case you need a recap, Michaella and Melissa made headlines across the globe when they were arrested at Lima Airport back in 2013.

Michaella is from Dungannon, Northern Ireland while Melissa is from Glasgow. Just before the incident, Michaella had been working in a nightclub in Ibiza, but travelled to Peru on 15th August before attempting to leave again just two days later with 11kg of cocaine.

It transpired that the drugs had been concealed inside porridge and jelly packets, and that the women had been paid just £4,000 each to smuggle the cocaine - worth around £1.5 million.

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At first the pair claimed they had been forced to carry the drugs, but following her release, Melissa said: "I made a conscious decision to do it and no one forced me."

Meanwhile, in her book, You'll Never See Daylight Again, Michaella writes: "Was I guilty? Yes. Did I know what I was doing? Sort of. Was I hung out to dry by a bunch of gangsters and the Peruvian justice system? Absolutely."

While the documentary series is yet to be given a release date, it's expected to air later in the year.

Topics: Entertainment News, News, TV News, TV Entertainment

Lucy Devine

Lucy is a journalist working for Tyla. After graduating with a master's degree in journalism, she has worked in both print and online and is particularly interested in fashion, food, health and women's issues. Northerner, coffee addict, says hun a lot. Get in touch at [email protected].

@lucedevine