Drug Trafficking

[meriad]

I agree with Suff as well but if their tale is true, they would probably be terrified of the repercussions if they tipped off the authorities. Whoever "forced" them to do it would know they had spoken out as they would not be jailed.

do you not think though that the police would know exactly how to deal with a situation like that and use the girls as 'bait' to get the actual traffikers out into the open?

[Workingman]

The fact that the family of Michaella McCollum had reported their daughter as missing before all the drug revelations came to pass could lend a bit of credence to their story.

It will be interesting to see what their "supposedly stolen" phone records show.

[TheOstrich]

Even IF and I do mean IF the girls were under duress, I doubt the authorities would accept the excuse that once they were in one of the safest places in the world (an airport), that they could not have simply told the check-in desk that they were probably carrying drugs.

Absolutely agree with this.
But then again, how many "mules" actually do inform the authorities like that ........

[debih]

Oh, I'm not saying that they are innocent and their story does seem far fetched.

I was just pointing out that far fetched things do happen.

[cromwell]

I jumped to judgement immediately I'm afraid. Seeing them sitting there, I just thought "Guilty".
The one from Northern Ireland had a face as hard and as sharp as a chisel.
The other one said "We were forced into it" before they were even told drugs had been discovered in their luggage. There was a total absence of surprise or even much emotion from them.
Whatever, unless there is any corroborating evidence for their story, they will be found guilty.
Saying "We were forced into it, can we go now?" isn't going to be a get out of jail card for them.

[Workingman]

I am beginning to think that they might be innocent(ish).

They say that they did not know each other prior to the 'trip'. I guess that can be proved by looking at their email, phone and FB accounts.

The family of the Irish woman were obviously concerned to report her as missing. She was an avid updater of her FB status, but didn't do so for many days. Why?

If someone was going on the trip of a lifetime wouldn't they tell their friends, wouldn't the news get around?

As for the airport scenario. They think their lives are in danger. Yes, they could make an admission at check-in, but then they still have to get home. They obviously know that 'couriers' will be waiting for them in Madrid. Madrid is NOT home, Ireland and Scotland are. I am not sure that I would be thinking clinically and logically in such a situation.

[Suff]

Let me put it another way.

You've been kidnapped, taken nearly half way round the world, held against your will and then forced to carry luggage which you suspect may have illegal substances in it.

Then you get to the airport. There are people in uniforms with guns all over the place. The "bad guys" leave you alone to check in.

What would you do???

[debih]

But then again, you meet a man. He flatters you. You start to date him. Your parents try everything to persuade you off him. He makes you have sex with other men. You don't like it but you continue to do so even though you are still free to wander around at will every day. Why don't you tell someone?

Threats and fear I assume.

[Kaz]

Yes, girls of that age - even ones who look and act very worldly wise - can still be pretty vulnerable

I'm still reserving judgement

Interestingly my B thinks they are guilty as sin - she's a rather tougher cookie than her mum......................

[KateLMead]

The Irish girl did not look very vulnerable to me!! and she appeared to be very self assured when interviewed chewing happily on a sandwich!
The other young ladies face of innocence could be slightly more convincing, however if she, "they" we're so terrified they would have informed the authorities not wait to be found out. "Now what would you have done?"