A FATHER and son from East Lancashire who were arrested in South America have been charged with alleged drugs trafficking offences.

James Thomas, 56, and his son Lee, 23, both from Rawtenstall, were charged last week by officers in Ecuador.

Lee has been charged with possession and the trafficking of illegal drugs and his father has been charged in association with Lee.

The pair were arrested in Ecuador last month as part of a local police operation.

Police have not yet released details about the circumstances of how and why they were arrested.

They are thought to have flown to Mexico from the UK last month for a three-week trip.

It is believed that James has since been detained in jail in the capital Quito and his son was being kept at the airport's jail.

They were arrested on Wednesday, April 28, leaving their family baffled and upset by the news.

The British Consulate in Ecuador has visited the pair in jail and is keeping regular contact.

A family friend said: "I spoke to Lee last week and he told me he was being moved from the airport jail to one in the capital.

"He hasn't spoken to his dad and doesn't even know where he is. It's hard for him out there. He has no money so we need to find a way of getting some out to him so he can buy food and necessities."

Pasquale Lamanno, a Foreign Office spokesman, said: "They are still being detained and we have no information at this time about extradition procedures.

"We are waiting to receive some information about the kind of operation they are alleged to be involved in or how the arrests actually came about."