Updated 11.01pm

TWO WOMEN ON trial in Peru for trafficking cocaine have been sentenced to six years and eight months each in jail.

Michaella McCollum Connolly from Tyrone and Melissa Reid who is from Glasgow, known as the ‘Peru 2′, were arrested in August as they were attempting to leave Lima for Spain.

The two were detained after 11.5kg of cocaine was found hidden in food packets in their luggage.

The two pleaded guilty in September to attempting to smuggle the drug out of Peru. Initially they had denied the charges and said they were coerced into smuggling by an international cartel.

However they changed their story and said that they “knew they were going to transport drugs, and that they regret having participated in such an act,” according to the court.

Melissa Reid (right) and Michaella McCollum (back) arrive for the court hearing in Lima earlier today. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro)

Additional reporting by AFP

Originally published 6.15pm

Read: Peru 2 transferred to prison notorious for overcrowding >

Read: Sentencing of Peru 2 postponed due to judges’ strike >

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More