A couple from the Black Country could be sentenced to up to 30 years in a Turkish prison after allegedly being caught with two suitcases filled with cannabis. Holly Cooper, from Coseley, and her boyfriend Taylor Johnson, from Wednesbury, were detained at Istanbul Airport after arriving on a flight from Thailand.
Arrest and Detention
The pair were arrested and transferred to jail, where they may have to wait up to a year for their trial. According to Turkish law, if convicted, they face a maximum sentence of 30 years.
A Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office spokesperson confirmed: "We are providing support to two British nationals detained in Turkey as well as their families, and are in touch with local authorities."
Crowdfunding Effort
A GoFundMe page was set up by a family friend named Gracie to help cover legal fees. The fundraiser had gathered approximately £455 before it was taken down on Tuesday morning, May 5. Gracie acknowledged that some might view the appeal as "cheeky" but stated that "anyone that knows Taylor knows he would help you as much as he can."
Family Reactions
Maxine Cooper, Holly's aunt, confirmed the arrest to The Sun. A family friend reportedly said: "They are alone in a Turkish prison. It’s shocking and apparently Taylor has been beaten up. The families are in bits."
The couple had traveled to Thailand just over a month ago and attempted to return to the UK via Turkey on April 26. They were about to board their connecting flight to London when police intervened.
