Spanish police have cast doubt on the claim of Michaela McCollum that she was forced to smuggle drugs by armed gang members.

The 20 year old County Tyrone woman and 19 year old Melissa Reid from Scotland were arrested last week after they were allegedly found with 11 kilos of cocaine in their luggage.

The pair are suspected of trying to leave the South American country with 1.7 million euro worth of cocaine in their luggage.

Police in Spain say the women had opportunities to alert authorities about their situation.

However, Michaela's lawyer Peter Madden says his client feared for her safety.