Children of Birkenhead couple arrested with cocaine in Venezuela could return to Wirral this weekend

Feb 25 2009 by Kevin Core, Birkenhead News

CHILDREN currently in the care of Venezuelan social services could return to Wirral this weekend.

The solicitor representing the suspected drug smuggler Paul Makin, 31, believes Libi and Luci, two, Jack, eight and Megan, seven, could soon be given over to relatives of Makin's wife Laura, 31, and brought home.

The Birkenhead couple were arrested last week with 24kg of cocaine in false compartments of a suitcase.

Speaking exclusively to Wirral News, John Wheate said: “The last positive information I heard was that the authority had been obtained to pass the children to the extended family.

“They are likely to come out as soon as arrangements can be made, then it would be two or three days for the transfer - probably next weekend.”

Weekend reports revealed Paul Makin thought he was carrying diamonds out of the Latin American country.

He said: “When the officers sliced the cases open and peeled back the grey gaffer tape and I saw a white substance I was devastated.

“As soon as I saw it I knew it was likely to be cocaine.

“I kept asking, ‘what’s the problem?’ One of them said, ‘It’s cocaina.’

“It was like someone had plunged a knife in my heart.”

Mum Laura Makin had Jack and Megan from a former relationship.

She said after their arrest officers allowed them to see the twins and the elder children who attend Mersey Park Primary School.

The youngsters said a tearful goodbye and were placed in the care of social services.

Grandmother Catherine Webb, 52, of Birkenhead, said the children were languishing in temporary accommodation and have no garden to play in.

She told reporters: “The children have been in floods of tears because they have none of their toys.

“They are scared and confused. They just keep asking for their mum.

“I am particularly worried about the twins...they are so young.”

The Makins now face an uncertain future in a country which is notoriously aggressive in its pursuit of drug smugglers.

The couple will spend a month in the overcrowded San Antonio jail in fierce 100 degree heat.

After a hearing on Tuesday they were remanded on suspicion of cocaine smuggling before the visit to see the children.

Paul Makin was on the run after being due to appear at Liverpool Crown Court facing charges of affray but missed the hearing and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

The charges related to a samurai sword being used to intimidate the boyfriend of an ex-partner.