Man and woman from Black Country arrested in Turkey on drug smuggling allegations
A fundraising appeal set up towards the pair’s legal costs has since been withdrawn.
A man and woman from the Black Country are facing up to 30 years in prison in Turkey after allegedly attempting to smuggle cannabis - as an online fundraising appeal to help them was taken offline.
According to reports in the national press 20-year-olds Holly Cooper, from Coseley, and Taylor Johnson, from Wednesbury, flew to Istanbul Airport on a flight from Thailand on April 26.
They were reportedly due to board a connecting service to London when Turkish customs officers intercepted the pair and took them in for questioning before placing them under arrest on suspicion of attempting to smuggle cannabis.
Following a court hearing they have since been transferred to a prison facility while prosecutors and court-appointed lawyers prepare their case.
Under Turkish law, convictions for drug smuggling can result in lengthy prison sentences ranging from 10 to 30 years.
An online fundraiser set up to help pay the pair’s legal fees has since been taken offline.
A British and Foreign Commonwealth Office spokesperson said: "We are providing support to two British nationals detained in Turkey as well as their families, and are in touch with local authorities."
Relatives said they were deeply concerned and were awaiting further developments in the case.