FOUR Wirral children at the centre of a Latin American drugs bust were reunited with their family last night.

But their parents, Paul and Laura Makin, remained in custody facing charges of trying to smuggle 24kg of cocaine into the UK.

Mr Makin, 31, and his wife, were arrested on Monday at the International Airport of Santiago Mariño in Porlamar, Venezuela, while en route to London.

But their two-year-old twins, Libby and Lucy, were taken into care.

They were joined by Mrs Makin’s children from a previous relationship Jack, eight, and Megan, seven.

Shortly after news of the arrest broke yesterday, members of Mrs Makin’s family and from Jack and Megan’s father’s family flew out to be with the children.

The Makins, who are said to be on the cusp of filing for divorce, had allegedly hidden more than 23.7kg of cocaine under the children’s clothes.

Narcotics detectives say three of their four suitcases contained false bottoms that were stuffed with the Class A drug.

The authorities reportedly searched the couple’s bags after receiving a tip-off.

Efforts were being made last night by Merseyside solicitor, John Wheate, to bring the children home.

Mr Wheate, who also represents jailed Liverpool FC fan Michael Shields, said: “I will be doing everything I can to assist the family through this ordeal.

“The first step is to get to the bottom of it and have the children repatriated.”

The family had been on a luxury holiday on the Caribbean island of Margarita.

Merseyside Police also revealed yesterday Mr Makin, of Woodchurch, Birkenhead, was on the run and wanted for affray and possession of an offensive weapon.

A Crown Court warrant was issued on February 9 when he failed to appear at Liverpool Crown Court.

But, speaking at a family home, one of his uncles last night protested Makin’s innocence.