Stranded children reunited with family

FOUR children stranded in Venezuela when their parents were arrested allegedly trying to leave the country with suitcases stuffed with cocaine were last night reunited with family.

Relatives flew out to see the children who had been placed in foster care when Paul and Laura Makin were taken into custody, the Foreign Office said. Makin, 31, and his wife, were arrested on Monday at Porlamar airport on the holiday island of Margarita as they tried to board a flight to London.

They were immediately detained and their twins Libby and Lucy, aged 2, were taken into care.

They were joined by Laura Makin’s children from a previous relationship Jack, 8 and Megan, 7. The family had been on a First Choice package holiday.

Makin’s solicitor said he was working to ensure the children’s repatriation.

News of the arrests stunned the couple’s family back home in Merseyside.

Paul Makin’s mother, Chris Makin, said: “I am in the dark. I am just interested in getting the children back in the country. The press seem to know a damn sight more than me.

“I’m really close to the kids – they spend weekends at my house.”

A source said Paul Makin, who will appear before a court with his wife in 30 days, did not want his mother told of the arrest “until he knew how serious it was”.