SCOTS drugs mule Melissa Reid is free to fly back to the UK to be reunited with her family after her release from prison in Peru.

The 22-year-old from Lenzie, East Dunbartonshire, was released last night after serving almost half of a near seven-year prison sentence for attempting to smuggle £1.5 million of cocaine out of the country with another woman.

She had been waiting on a decision that would mean she would be immediately expelled from the country.

Read more: Drugs mule Melissa Reid can return to Scotland after expulsion

Last night a prison spokesman said: "I can confirm Melissa has been released from prison and will leave Peru.

""She should be at Lima Airport now. I don't have details of her flight arrangements."

Her accomplice Michaella McCollum, 23, from Dungannon, Co Tyrone, was freed in March under new legislation but was required to remain on parole in Peru.

Reid met the legal requirements for release and the final details were then organised for her to go home.

The Herald:

McCollum, 23, was freed in March under new legislation but was required to remain on parole in Peru.

The pair were caught at Lima Airport trying to board a flight to Spain with 24lb (11kg) of cocaine in food packets hidden in their luggage.

They claimed they were forced into carrying the drugs but pleaded guilty to the charges and were sentenced to six years and eight months.

Reid’s father Billy has previously said the impact of his daughter’s crime on his family had been “horrendous’’ and spoke out in a video warning of the consequences of drug offences abroad.

Read more: Drugs mule Melissa Reid can return to Scotland after expulsion

Mr Reid said his daughter’s time in jail had had a “tremendous impact on us, both emotionally and financially”.

The Herald:

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said: “We continue to provide assistance to Melissa Reid and remain in contact with her family and local authorities.”