Michaella McCollum first became known in 2013 as one half of the “Peru Two,” the pair arrested in Lima while attempting to smuggle about 11–12 kg of cocaine. More than a decade later, she is an author, the subject of a BBC and Netflix documentary, and a Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins contestant.
McCollum served just over two years in prison before being released on early parole in 2016. Her memoir, You’ll Never See Daylight Again, and the documentary High: Confessions of an Ibiza Drug Mule have kept her story in public view. In 2025, she returned to the small screen as a contestant on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
Who Is Michaella McCollum? The Peru Two Case Explained
Michaella McCollum is from Northern Ireland. She is one of the two women at the centre of the Peru Two case, alongside Melissa Reid. The Wikipedia article on the Peru Two case sets out the background, arrest and legal outcome in detail.
Michaella McCollum at a glance
- McCollum and Melissa Reid became known as the Peru Two after their arrest in Lima in 2013.
- About 11–12 kg of cocaine was involved, valued at roughly £1.5 million.
- McCollum was sentenced to 6 years and 8 months in prison.
- She served just over two years before being released on early parole.
- Her memoir and a BBC/Netflix documentary followed her release.
- In 2025, BBC News reported that she had completed Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
Core case facts
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Known as | One half of the Peru Two |
| Offence | Attempting to smuggle cocaine (approx £1.5m) |
| Amount of cocaine | Around 11–12 kg |
| Arrest location | Lima, Peru |
| Arrest date | 6 August 2013 |
| Sentence | 6 years and 8 months |
| Release | 31 March 2016, on early parole |
| Book | You’ll Never See Daylight Again |
| Documentary | High: Confessions of an Ibiza Drug Mule |
| @michaella_mccollum | |
| Recent credit | Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins (2025) |
What Was the Peru Two Drug Smuggling Case?
On 6 August 2013, McCollum and Melissa Reid were arrested at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima on suspicion of drug smuggling. The case became known as the Peru Two and was covered extensively in the UK, Ireland and beyond.
How Did the Arrest at Lima Airport Happen?
McCollum and Reid were stopped while attempting to leave Peru. ITV’s recap of the case places the arrest at Lima’s international airport in August 2013 and describes the pair being held over roughly 11–12 kg of cocaine.
Melissa Reid is the other member of the pair. Reports describe her as from Scotland, with some coverage placing her in Glasgow. Daily Record’s coverage of Melissa Reid follows her side of the Peru Two story.
What Sentence Did the Peru Two Receive?
Both women were convicted and sentenced to 6 years and 8 months in prison for drug smuggling. The Independent reported on the sentence and, later, on McCollum’s release in 2016, when she had served just over two years and Reid remained in prison.
The Peru Two case drew heavy media attention in 2013. Both women were sentenced to 6 years and 8 months for drug smuggling. McCollum was released on early parole on 31 March 2016, while Reid remained in prison at that time.
Where Is Michaella McCollum Now? 2025 Celebrity SAS Update
McCollum’s most recent public appearance came in 2025. BBC News reported on 26 August 2025 that she had finished Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
Was Michaella McCollum on Celebrity SAS in 2025?
Yes, according to BBC News. The broadcaster’s report, published on 26 August 2025, confirmed that McCollum had completed the series.
What Has McCollum Done Since Her Release?
Since leaving prison in 2016, McCollum has built a public media profile. Mamamia’s 2025 explainer notes that she applied for early parole and was released from prison on 31 March 2016.
Later reporting described her as living a public life, with reports mentioning study and graduate-related activity. IrishCentral reported that she became a mother of twins after her release. At one point, coverage also placed her in Scotland.
Some post-release details, including the reports of twins and of McCollum living in Scotland, come from individual media reports. They have not been independently confirmed in any official or public statement.
Did Michaella McCollum Write a Book? What About Netflix or BBC?
McCollum has written a memoir and later became the subject of a television documentary about her case.
What Is Michaella McCollum’s Memoir Called?
Her memoir is titled You’ll Never See Daylight Again. The title was reported by The Express in its coverage of the Peru Two’s lives after prison.
Is There a Netflix Series About Michaella McCollum?
A documentary based on her story, High: Confessions of an Ibiza Drug Mule, was made available on Netflix in October 2022. It had previously aired as a BBC One and BBC iPlayer series in 2021, according to The Mirror and Wikipedia’s record of the case.
McCollum’s Instagram bio describes her as “Author Tv Series (NETFLIX / BBC)”. The memoir title and the documentary are widely reported, though the current streaming availability of the series is not confirmed in the available records.
Michaella McCollum Personal Life: Husband, Age, Net Worth, Height
Details about McCollum’s personal life are harder to pin down than the facts of the case. Public reporting, including Cosmopolitan’s update on the Peru Two, has not provided confirmed figures for her husband, age, height or net worth.
Is Michaella McCollum Married?
No reliable confirmed details are available about her relationship status or a husband. The available reporting does not verify any marriage.
How Old Is Michaella McCollum?
Her exact birth date is not confirmed in the available sources. Her current age cannot be stated with certainty.
What Is Michaella McCollum’s Net Worth and Height?
No authoritative figures for her net worth or height appear in the available reporting. Any numbers circulating online are not supported by the documented sources.
What Is Michaella McCollum’s Instagram Handle?
McCollum posts on Instagram as @michaella_mccollum. The bio on the profile reads “Author Tv Series (NETFLIX / BBC)”. The account is written in the first person and is best read as her own public messaging rather than a verified biography.
What Are the Key Dates in the Michaella McCollum Case?
- — McCollum and Reid are arrested at Lima airport on suspicion of drug smuggling (Wikipedia).
- — Both women are convicted and sentenced to a prison term in Peru (The Independent).
- — McCollum is released on early parole (Mamamia).
- — Featured on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins; BBC News coverage appears from 26 August 2025 (BBC News).
What Is Confirmed About Michaella McCollum, and What Remains Unclear?
Established information
- Arrested on 6 August 2013 at Lima airport.
- Co-accused with Melissa Reid.
- Released on early parole on 31 March 2016.
- Instagram account @michaella_mccollum lists “Author Tv Series (NETFLIX / BBC)”.
- BBC News reports her 2025 Celebrity SAS appearance.
Information that remains unclear
- Full publication details of the memoir.
- Current release or streaming status of the Netflix/BBC documentary.
- Current husband or relationship status.
- Net worth and height figures.
- Exact birth date and age.
- Whether a standalone Wikipedia page exists; she is currently covered under “Peru Two”.
How Has the Public Narrative Around McCollum Changed?
Early coverage of McCollum leaned heavily on the “drug mule” label and the details of the criminal case. More recent coverage, including BBC News and lifestyle explainers, tends to frame her as an author and reality television personality who has rebuilt her public image since prison.
Speculation about McCollum’s personal relationships circulates online, but the established reporting does not support those claims. The verified public record remains focused on the original case and her later media work.
Where Do the Key Details About Michaella McCollum Come From?
The core facts are drawn from Wikipedia’s Peru Two article, BBC News, The Independent, ITV, Mamamia, IrishCentral, The Express, The Mirror and Cosmopolitan, among other outlets that have followed the case since 2013.
Author Tv Series (NETFLIX / BBC)
— Michaella McCollum’s Instagram bio
Peru Two Michaella McCollum finishes Celebrity SAS…
— BBC News
Michaella applied for early parole and was released from prison on March 31, 2016.
— Mamamia
What Is the Full Picture of Michaella McCollum’s Story?
Michaella McCollum’s public life now spans two distinct chapters: the 2013 arrest that made her one half of the Peru Two, and a later career as an author, documentary subject and Celebrity SAS contestant. The facts of the case are well documented. Many details of her private life, including her age, relationship status, height and net worth, remain unconfirmed.
How much cocaine were the Peru Two caught with?
About 11–12 kg of cocaine, valued at roughly £1.5 million. McCollum and Melissa Reid were stopped at Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport in August 2013.
Where were Michaella McCollum and Melissa Reid arrested?
At Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru, on 6 August 2013. The two women were detained on suspicion of drug smuggling.
How long did Michaella McCollum spend in prison?
She was sentenced to 6 years and 8 months and served just over two years. She was released on early parole on 31 March 2016.
What does Michaella McCollum’s Instagram bio say?
Her bio reads “Author Tv Series (NETFLIX / BBC)”. The account handle is @michaella_mccollum.
Does Michaella McCollum have a Wikipedia page?
There is no standalone Wikipedia article about her. Her case is covered in detail under the Wikipedia entry for the Peru Two.
Who is Melissa Reid?
Melissa Reid is the other member of the Peru Two. She is the Scottish woman from the Glasgow area who was arrested alongside McCollum in Lima in 2013.
When did the Michaella McCollum documentary reach Netflix?
The documentary High: Confessions of an Ibiza Drug Mule was made available on Netflix in October 2022. It had previously aired as a BBC One and BBC iPlayer series in 2021.
Olivia Hartley is Business & Economy Correspondent at DailyCity.co.uk, reporting on the city economy, property, retail, hospitality and employment.