Peru Drug Arrest: Melissa Reid To Plead Guilty For Reduced Sentence

Melissa Reid will soon plead guilty to her Peru drug arrest. Reid and friend Michaella McCollum were swiftly apprehended while muling $2.38 million worth of cocaine inside a Lima Airport.

Reid, a resident of Lenzie, near Glasgow, and McCollum, of Dungannon in Northern Ireland, are facing equal 25 year charges.

The women have claimed since their drug arrest that they were ultimately forced against their will to carry the massive amount of cocaine.

On Sunday Melissa Reid told the Mail on Sunday that she was hoping for a plea deal that would drastically reduce her sentence.

The guilty plea could cut Reid’s sentence from 25 years to six years and eight months.

Reid’s family believes she could be released in three years if the plea is eventually accepted.

The women are being held in Virgen de Fatima prison in Lima.

Speaking to The Daily Mail Reid said of her life behind bars:

“I am really scared about what I am about to do but I am also relieved that there could be a light at the end of the tunnel… I’m now coming to terms with the fact I am so far away from my family. This is real.”

Reid then added:

“After a lot of thought and advice from my lawyer I am going to go in front of the judge and admit I was in possession of the drugs and that I went to Peru to pick up drugs to take to Spain – I am willing to plead guilty to that.”

While she is admitting to her part in the Peru drug arrest Reid says she “did it under duress” and that she “did not accept money to do it.”

The girls father, William Reid, was quotes as saying the two women should plead guilty to end the legal process as quickly as possible.