British couple face up to 30 years in Turkish jail ‘for smuggling cannabis’

A young British couple is facing 30 years behind bars after they allegedly tried to smuggle two suitcases filled with cannabis.

Holly Cooper and Taylor Johnson, both 20, from had arrived in Istanbul from Thailand.

Before they reached their connecting flight back to London, they were arrested and beaten up by Turkish police, the family claim.

If convicted the family face a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum term of 30.

They have been moved to a jail ahead of their trial, but it could take a year before it reaches court.

Their families have launched a fundraiser to try and cover the costs of legal fees as they do not have their own lawyers.

A fundraiser set up by a family friend said: ‘As many of you know Taylor was arrested in Turkey and we need to raise the funds to pay for his solicitor.

‘To some it may be cheeky but if you was put in this position you would do anything to be able to raise the funds.’

In February the couple posted pictured from Gran Canaria and flew to Thailand last month.

They then tried to head home via Instanbul on April 26 where they were stopped by police.