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| Venezuela mother fearing prison | |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| A mother-of-four being held on drugs charges in a Venezuelan jail has spoken of her fears of being locked up in appalling conditions for years. | A mother-of-four being held on drugs charges in a Venezuelan jail has spoken of her fears of being locked up in appalling conditions for years. |
| Laura Makin and her husband Paul, both 31, were arrested on February 16 on Margarita Island for allegedly carrying 53lb (24kg) of cocaine in suitcases. | Laura Makin and her husband Paul, both 31, were arrested on February 16 on Margarita Island for allegedly carrying 53lb (24kg) of cocaine in suitcases. |
| They had been due to board a flight to London at Porlamar airport. | They had been due to board a flight to London at Porlamar airport. |
| Ms Makin, from Merseyside, says she is desperate to see her four children, who are with Venezuelan social workers. | Ms Makin, from Merseyside, says she is desperate to see her four children, who are with Venezuelan social workers. |
| She denies any role in drug smuggling. | She denies any role in drug smuggling. |
| Relatives have flown to the South American country to work with consular officials to bring home the couple's two-year-old twins and Ms Makin's children from a former marriage, aged eight and seven. | Relatives have flown to the South American country to work with consular officials to bring home the couple's two-year-old twins and Ms Makin's children from a former marriage, aged eight and seven. |
| It is thought they could fly back to the UK on Sunday. Ms Makin told the BBC's Claire Marshall the director of San Antonio prison had given her permission to see them beforehand. | |
| "I don't know when I'll be able to go home. Some people have been waiting here for two years," she said. I didn't know what was going on - this is so messed up Laura Makin | "I don't know when I'll be able to go home. Some people have been waiting here for two years," she said. I didn't know what was going on - this is so messed up Laura Makin |
| "They have told me I'll have to wait at least a month but realistically I think I'll be here for a lot longer than that." | "They have told me I'll have to wait at least a month but realistically I think I'll be here for a lot longer than that." |
| The charity Prisoners Abroad has described conditions in Venezuelan jails as "appalling", with many run by prison gangs with weapons. | The charity Prisoners Abroad has described conditions in Venezuelan jails as "appalling", with many run by prison gangs with weapons. |
| Ms Makin said: "I haven't eaten in three days. | Ms Makin said: "I haven't eaten in three days. |
| "You have to know someone to be able to get food in here, and I don't know anyone." | "You have to know someone to be able to get food in here, and I don't know anyone." |
| Ms Makin said the 75 women in the prison were locked up at around 4pm each day. | Ms Makin said the 75 women in the prison were locked up at around 4pm each day. |
| She sleeps on mattresses on the floor of a cell with 13 others, including two Dutch women and a Jamaican. | She sleeps on mattresses on the floor of a cell with 13 others, including two Dutch women and a Jamaican. |
| They have to step over each other to move around and use a hosepipe in the yard to wash. | They have to step over each other to move around and use a hosepipe in the yard to wash. |
| 'Betrayed' | 'Betrayed' |
| Ms Makin maintains she knew nothing of any cocaine in the family's three suitcases. She said she was separated from Paul Makin and had merely accompanied him on holiday. | Ms Makin maintains she knew nothing of any cocaine in the family's three suitcases. She said she was separated from Paul Makin and had merely accompanied him on holiday. |
| She said: "I feel betrayed by him. I didn't know what was going on. | She said: "I feel betrayed by him. I didn't know what was going on. |
| "This was the first time I had ever been on holiday. I've got a boyfriend back in England. This is so messed up." | "This was the first time I had ever been on holiday. I've got a boyfriend back in England. This is so messed up." |
| Mr Makin has insisted in an interview with the Times that he has "nothing to do with drugs" and believed he was taking diamonds out of the country. | Mr Makin has insisted in an interview with the Times that he has "nothing to do with drugs" and believed he was taking diamonds out of the country. |
| "He was obviously stitched up by somebody," said Ms Makin. | "He was obviously stitched up by somebody," said Ms Makin. |
| Her husband is wanted by Merseyside Police for offences related to affray and possession of an offensive weapon. A warrant was issued for his arrest after he failed to show up at Liverpool Crown Court on 9 February. | Her husband is wanted by Merseyside Police for offences related to affray and possession of an offensive weapon. A warrant was issued for his arrest after he failed to show up at Liverpool Crown Court on 9 February. |
| Ms Makin said she has been told it could take at least four weeks to gather evidence to prove she was not an accomplice. | Ms Makin said she has been told it could take at least four weeks to gather evidence to prove she was not an accomplice. |