Teenager in Bolivia drugs arrest

Zoe Shepherd is waiting to hear if she faces drugs charges (Pic, Cambridge Times)

A teenager from Cambridgeshire has been arrested in South America on suspicion of drug smuggling.

Zoe Shepherd, 19, from Manea, is being held in Bolivia waiting to hear if she will be charged, according to North East Cambridgeshire MP Malcolm Moss.

Mr Moss said he believed Miss Shepherd had been arrested on suspicion of trying to smuggle cocaine.

Foreign Office officials said the hairdresser was arrested in Santa Cruz on 13 April.

Consulate officials

A Foreign Office spokesman said "consular support" was being provided and staff were in touch with relatives.

Miss Shepherd is a former pupil of Cromwell Community College in Chatteris.

School governor Florence Newell has called for The Home Office to intervene

School governor Florence Newell told the BBC staff at the school were all "very surprised" by her arrest.

Mr Moss said Miss Shepherd had been visited by a member of the British Consulate in Bolivia and he was in contact with her family.

He added: "Staff from the consulate have been to see her and they are in touch.

"She is able to talk to her family.

"Some relatives came to see me and I have been in touch with the Foreign Office and I will do what I can to help."