‘Peru Two’ drug mule Michaella McCollum fights off accusations of cashing in with her book on life in prison and says that despite making ‘a small amount of money’ from it all she really wants is ‘raise awareness’ among young people about the risks of smuggling
- Michaella, from Co Tyrone was arrested in 2013 along with Melissa Reid
- She was found guilty and jailed for six years for her crimes
- She spoke on Good Morning Britain about her decision to release a book
Convicted drugs smuggler Michaella McCollum has spoken on Good Morning Britain about her decision to release a book about life in a South American prison.
Michaella, from Dungannon, Co Tyrone was arrested in 2013 along with Melissa Reid for attempting to smuggle £1.5million worth of cocaine through Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru.
She was found guilty and jailed for six years for her crimes but is now living back in Northern Ireland, where she is bringing up two sons born last year.
‘How frighted were you Michaella when it was discovered what you were carrying? Susanna Reid asked on Wednesday’s show.
‘It was petrifying … and it took a while for me to realise how much trouble I had gotten into,’ Ms McCollum replied.
‘I didn’t even think about the consequences…’ she said.
What were you thinking?’ asked Susanna Reid.
‘I wasn’t really thinking at all I was just so stupid … I knew it was going to be drugs but I didn’t think much into it.’ Ms McCollum added.
Both Michaella McCollum and Melissa Reid initially claimed armed gangsters had forced them to carry the cocaine – when in fact they had willingly smuggled the drugs for a £5,000 payment.
I’m writing the book to raise awareness, making a small amount of money from it. I’m not doing it for the money, I want to tell my story,’ she said
Wednesday’s appearance comes off the back of other media appearances by Ms McCollum who is promoting her book, ‘You’ll never see daylight again.’ She appeared on Lorraine on October 31. Viewers tweeted their anger during the interview, with one asking, ‘Why are they giving this criminal the air time?’
When asked further about the huge amount of cocaine and the devastating effects it would had and the personal risks.
‘I wasn’t thinking, I look back and don’t know how I didn’t realise what I was doing. I wasn’t told much about anything.’
Piers Morgan grilled Ms McCollum on her reasons for writing the book and questioned her explanation that ‘she wasn’t thinking.’
‘£5,000 wasn’t enough money for doing what I was being asked to do,’ she added.
Mr Morgan said he didn’t feel sorry for McCollum and asked ‘why should you make any money out of the book?’
I’m writing the book to raise awareness, making a small amount of money from it. I’m not doing it for the money, I want to tell my story,’ she said
Young people make stupid decisions.
My initial thought is to pay back debts. I’m not profiting. I feel like if I would have done paid interviews and TV shows that were offered then it would be different
I don’t expect people’s opinions on me to change.’
Ms McCollum said if there is any money from the book it would go on clearing debts.