Peru Two drug mule Michaella McCollum celebrates her twin sons' second birthday

Peru Two drug mule Michaella McCollum celebrated her twin sons' second birthday and shared photos of their lockdown party online. The mother-of-two, of County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, posted adorable snaps of sons Rafael and Rio playing with balloons, books and bicycles at the family home.

Peru Two drug mule Michaella McCollum celebrated her twin sons' second birthday and shared photos of their lockdown party online. 

The mother-of-two, of County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, posted adorable snaps of sons Rafael and Rio playing with balloons, books and bicycles at the family home. 

Writing on Instagram, Michaella admitted it was 'strange' marking the occasion without the whole family. 

Peru Two drug mule Michaella McCollum celebrated her twin sons' second birthday and shared photos of their lockdown party online, pictured

Peru Two drug mule Michaella McCollum celebrated her twin sons' second birthday and shared photos of their lockdown party online, pictured

Photos show Rio and Rafael dressed in matching 'H' tops as they played in the garden and unwrapped Peppa Pig and farm animal books in the living room, pictured

Photos show Rio and Rafael dressed in matching 'H' tops as they played in the garden and unwrapped Peppa Pig and farm animal books in the living room, pictured 

She posted: 'The sweetest boys have turned two. Strange day not being able to spend it with all the family but the balloons cake and toys made them very happy.'

Photos show Rio and Rafael dressed in matching 'H' tops as they played in the garden and unwrapped Peppa Pig books in the living room. 

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Doting mother Michaella was seen holding her sons close as she celebrated the day with them. 

Followers and loved ones were quick to share their well-wishes with one posting: 'Happy birthday to ur twinnies. They are so big now, growing very quickly.'

Doting mother-of-two Michaella is seen cradling one of her twins in the garden, pictured

Doting mother-of-two Michaella is seen cradling one of her twins in the garden, pictured

One of Michaella's sons is snapped enjoying the fun underneath a 'happy birthday' banner

One of Michaella's sons is snapped enjoying the fun underneath a 'happy birthday' banner

One of the twins plays with his bicycle in the garden of the family home in Northern Ireland

One of the twins plays with his bicycle in the garden of the family home in Northern Ireland

Another wrote: 'Wonderful photo @michaella_mccollum. Best wishes to you all stay safe.' A third added: 'Happy 2nd birthday my beautiful boys I miss yous so much.'

Michaella, who shot to notoriety in 2013 as one half of the Peru Two, often shares snaps of her sons online and was active in documenting her pregnancy. She has never revealed the identity of the boys' father but has offered up a number of hints.

Announcing her pregnancy, Michaella shared a photo of her lying in bed with a man - although his face could not be seen.

In Instagram Stories shared in December 2018, the mother-of-two revealed the boys' father is largely absent from their lives. She also admitted being a single mother can be 'lonely at times'.

Michaella, who wore her blonde hair in a high ponytail, with one of her sons on their birthday

Michaella, who wore her blonde hair in a high ponytail, with one of her sons on their birthday

A photo of one of the birthday boys shared by proud mother Michaella over the weekend

A photo of one of the birthday boys shared by proud mother Michaella over the weekend

It is thought the family are in isolation with at least one other person as Michaella appears in some of the photographs. 

McCollum made headlines in 2013 when she was arrested in Peru alongside Melissa Reid.

The pair had travelled to the country from Ibiza, where they had been employed by a drug-dealing gang to smuggle cocaine £1.5million worth of cocaine across the world.

Belfast resident Michaella McCollum Connolly (L) and British citizen Melissa Reid (R) stand together while being photographed by police after being arrested at the airport in Lima, Peru

Belfast resident Michaella McCollum Connolly (L) and British citizen Melissa Reid (R) stand together while being photographed by police after being arrested at the airport in Lima, Peru

They were caught arriving at Lima airport and sentenced to six years and eight months inside a grim jail in the Peruvian capital.

However, they were released after serving three years, with McCollum returning to Northern Ireland in June 2016.

McCollum released a book about her experience, You'll Never See Daylight Again, last year. 

WHO ARE THE PERU TWO?

Melissa Reid and Michaella McCollum Connolly were arrested in August 2013 for attempting to smuggle £1.5million (€1.75 million) worth of cocaine out of Peru.

In June 2013, McCollum had travelled to Balearic island Ibiza to work as a dancer in a bar for that summer.

On July 31, Reid flew to South America while McCollum followed a day later. 

Melissa Reid and Michaella McCollum Connolly were arrested in August 2013 for attempting to smuggle £1.5million (€1.75 million) worth of cocaine out of Peru

Melissa Reid and Michaella McCollum Connolly were arrested in August 2013 for attempting to smuggle £1.5million (€1.75 million) worth of cocaine out of Peru

The women, then aged just 19 and 20, carried the cocaine in food packages hidden in their luggage. Reid revealed that there was so much cocaine they were only able to fit in a few items of clothing to cover it

The women, then aged just 19 and 20, carried the cocaine in food packages hidden in their luggage. Reid revealed that there was so much cocaine they were only able to fit in a few items of clothing to cover it

On August 6, McCollum was reported missing to the Police Service of Northern Ireland by her family, the same day as her arrest. 

The duo were seized at Lima airport with 11kg of the Class A drug in their suitcases as they tried to check-in for a flight to Spain.  

At the time of their arrest the women's families had believed that they were in Ibiza doing bar work.     

Following their arrest on August 6, the pair claimed they had been kidnapped by an armed gang and flown to Peru.

The women, who did not know each other beforehand, claim they were unwittingly introduced by friends to drugs runners, who threatened their families if they did not agree to smuggle cocaine.

The duo were sentenced to six years in prison but both served under half of that

The duo were sentenced to six years in prison but both served under half of that

Their story was described as ‘illogical’ and they later pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, but claimed they were doing so to secure a more lenient sentence. 

During their sentencing in December 2013 the women learned they had escaped the most severe 15-year penalty in return for pleading guilty and passing on information about the gang that supplied the drugs. 

On December 17 2013 Reid and McCollum were sentenced to six years and eight months in jail at the notorious Santa Monica prison in Chorrillo. 

While their original sentence was due to last until April 2020 both women served a reduced sentence.  

McCollum was released on parole in March 2015 after serving less than half of her sentence but was required to stay in Peru until February 2016. 

Reid returned to the UK in June 2016 after serving just under half of her six-year prison sentence. 

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