From party high to Peruvian prison

Photo: Peruu politsei

If convicted, two female drug mules from Estonia face 7 to 15 years in tough jails of Peru.

Friday, morning, this is what Anne Maarja Gross (22) posted on her Facebook wall: «hey ho, so back home soon.. after a cool trip around this nice world of ours, I so long for home and the precious ones» (here and afterward, wording unchanged – edit).

Twenty four hours later, the young lady and Anne Kolk – another girl, aged 19 – were handcuffed at Alejandro Velasco Astete del Cusco international airport, Southern Peru, nearly to six kilograms of cocaine discovered in their hand baggage during routine checks.

The girls had been in for a binge of partying. Both coming from large families – Anneli having four sisters, Anne Maarja’s sisters-brothers amounting to seven. According to acquaintances, Anneli was a good girl. While at school, at Pikasilla, she’d been into folks dancing and gymnastics. At a certain point in time, however, she moved to live with her father, in Tallinn. New acquaintances and new friendships developed. 

At the start of August, Anne Maarja got herself a new hairdo – one side of the head totally bald. To friends complementing her daring, she replied: «Got to try things out. I have another in pipeline, but I’m not talking about that. I’ll just go and see whatever happens... We’ve got but one life, right?»

The girls’ drug trip kicked into gear on September 21^st in Estonia, with a wild party, following which Anne Maarja boasted «tremblings» quite persistent. A few more days and the young ladies headed for Spain, from there on to Latin-America.

As Anne Maarja’s brother Rando inquired why she planned to go to Spain, he was told: «A little trip... getting so cold here, I’ll go get some last warm weather.» Friends wished them a nice trip, and were longing to see them again. «Sure we’ll come, If not sooner... then later. But, we’ll be back.» They were having a week in mind, two maybe.

It will be later, rather. With close to six kilograms of cocaine hidden away in the walls and covers of their cabin luggage, the girls couldn’t help but act nervous at the airport. By their weird behaviour, drug police was alerted. The ladies were about to board a plane from Cusco, Peru on to Brazil, via Lima. The case, now, is in the hands of Cusco drug department. 

In local Peruvian web portals, the case has gotten ample coverage. The news say that, of late, Peruvian airports have started to be equipped with special drug groups. This case being a victory for one such endeavour. No drug mules of Estonian origin have been apprehended before, in this airport; however, citizens of Italy, Spain and Czech Republic, for instance, have been caught.

In August, the world heard the news of Melissa Reid from Scotland and Michaella McCollum Connolly of Ireland (both 20) got caught with 11 kg of cocaine, in Peru. According to British media, the ladies face close to 7 years behind bars. 

Peruvian prison system is considered among the toughest, with prisoners essentially in charge, illness rampant and some prisoners forced – according to former inmates – to sell their bodies to survive, even to get essentials like food, drink and clothing.  

This year, just under ten Estonians have been arrested in Latin-America; all in all, 37 Estonian citizens have been convicted in the region. Of those, lion’s share sits behind bars for drug-trafficking crimes. In addition to that, Estonians have been convicted for possession and intermediation of narcotic substances in Europe.

Proceedings to take time

Estonia’s foreign ministry is yet to be contacted regarding the offence, by Peruvian authorities. Neither has the ministry been able to be in contact with the ladies, up to now. «We will definitely contact Peruvian foreign ministry ourselves, to specify the details of the arrest and the proceedings to follow,» said the ministry’s press secretary Minna-Liina Lind – acknowledging that getting official information may take time.

Ms Lind added that with specific details unknown it is hard to comment on future developments. Even so, the ministry is determined to contact Estonia’s honorary consul and European Union member states’ representatives in Peru. According to Ms Lind, drug crimes are severely punished, in Peru, and the proceedings are sure to be lengthy.