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Help given to drugs case children | Help given to drugs case children |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Relatives are working with consular officials in Venezuela to bring home the four children of a British couple detained for alleged drugs offences. | Relatives are working with consular officials in Venezuela to bring home the four children of a British couple detained for alleged drugs offences. |
Paul Makin, 31, and his wife Laura were held on 16 February on Margarita Island for allegedly carrying cocaine. | Paul Makin, 31, and his wife Laura were held on 16 February on Margarita Island for allegedly carrying cocaine. |
The four children were placed into the care of Venezuelan social services. | The four children were placed into the care of Venezuelan social services. |
British Embassy officials travelled to the island to ensure the children's welfare and provide consular services to the detainees. | British Embassy officials travelled to the island to ensure the children's welfare and provide consular services to the detainees. |
The children are an eight- and a seven-year-old from a former marriage of Laura Makin, and the couple's two-year-old twins. | The children are an eight- and a seven-year-old from a former marriage of Laura Makin, and the couple's two-year-old twins. |
The Foreign Office confirmed that other family members have arrived on Margarita Island, and are working to repatriate the four children as soon as possible. | The Foreign Office confirmed that other family members have arrived on Margarita Island, and are working to repatriate the four children as soon as possible. |
Sought in UK | Sought in UK |
A Foreign Office spokesman said the Venezuelan authorities had done everything in their power to assist the children. | A Foreign Office spokesman said the Venezuelan authorities had done everything in their power to assist the children. |
John Wheate, Mr Makin's lawyer, told the BBC that he is also working to bring home the children, and said of his own client: "The judicial process will have to take its course." | John Wheate, Mr Makin's lawyer, told the BBC that he is also working to bring home the children, and said of his own client: "The judicial process will have to take its course." |
Mr Makin is wanted by Merseyside Police for offences related to affray and possession of an offensive weapon. | Mr Makin is wanted by Merseyside Police for offences related to affray and possession of an offensive weapon. |
He missed a scheduled appearance in Liverpool Crown Court on 9 February and, when he did not attend the hearing, the trial judge issued a warrant. | He missed a scheduled appearance in Liverpool Crown Court on 9 February and, when he did not attend the hearing, the trial judge issued a warrant. |
The family had been on a package holiday, about to board a London-bound flight, when the two adults were arrested for allegedly carrying 53lbs (24kg) of the Class A drug in three suitcases. | |
'Appalling' conditions | |
It is understood the Makins will appear in court in the next 30 days. | |
Thomas Lawson, deputy chief executive of Prisoners Abroad, said Venezuelan jails, like many in Latin America, were "appalling" with "high levels of violence". | |
"The prison system is very badly resourced," he said. "There's just enough prison guards to watch the perimeter. | |
"The prisons are run by the prisoners and in most cases, gangs. Lots of prisoners have guns and other weapons." | |
He said it was the charity's job to maintain an inmate's "health and hope". |
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