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Venezuela mother fearing prison Jail mother 'not eaten for days'
(about 1 hour 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 the dire conditions she is facing.
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 husband Paul, both 31, were arrested last week on Margarita Island for allegedly carrying cocaine.
They had been due to board a flight to London at Porlamar airport. Ms Makin, from Merseyside, said she sleeps on the floor of a cell with 13 others and has to wash with a hosepipe.
Ms Makin, from Merseyside, says she is desperate to see her four children, who are with Venezuelan social workers. "I haven't eaten in three days," she told the BBC. Ms Makin is desperate to see her four children, who are in the care of 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.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. "You have to know someone to be able to get food in here, and I don't know anyone," said Ms Makin.
"You have to know someone to be able to get food in here, and I don't know anyone." She 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. Mattresses were crammed so tightly on the floor of the cell she shared with other foreign nationals, including two Dutch women and a Jamaican, that they had to step over each other to move around, she continued.
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.
'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. The Makins had been due to board a flight to London at Porlamar airport when they were arrested for allegedly carrying 53lb (24kg) of cocaine in three suitcases.
She said: "I feel betrayed by him. I didn't know what was going on. Ms Makin maintains she knew nothing of any drugs. She said she was separated from Paul Makin and had merely accompanied him on holiday.
"I feel betrayed by him. I didn't know what was going on," she said.
"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.