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Travel and transport
Drugs
Of the 3,200 British Nationals imprisoned abroad, over a third are held for drug offences. There are concerns that a growing number of Britons, especially young people, are becoming involved in taking, carrying or dealing in drugs whilst on holiday.
Getting involved with drugs abroad: the risks
If you take drugs on holiday abroad or try to bring drugs back with you, your holiday of a lifetime could cost you a lifetime in jail.
Remember that:
- many countries outside the UK refuse to grant bail to those suspected of drugs offences before trial and often detain people in solitary confinement
- you will get a criminal record in the UK if caught with drugs abroad
- if you've been caught with drugs abroad, you're unlikely to ever be allowed to visit that country again
- if you get injured or ill as a result of illicit drugs use, your holiday insurance may be invalidated and your tour operator can refuse to fly you home
- Cyprus - has a zero tolerance policy towards drugs and possession, which usually leads to a hefty fine or even life imprisonment
- Spain - penalties are severe and sentences for carrying drugs can be up to 12 years
- Greece - possession of even small quantities of drugs can lead to lengthy prison terms and even life imprisonment
- Tunisia - possession of even a small amount of drugs could cost you a term in prison, and more serious charges may result in 20 years' imprisonment plus a fine
- Jamaica - drug offences result in mandatory prison sentences (possession of even small quantities can lead to imprisonment and prison conditions are harsh) and large fines
- Venezuela - drug carriers face minimum 10-year prison sentences in harsh conditions
- Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Iran and Algeria can impose the death sentence for some drugs charges
If you get involve with drugs abroad, the British Consul cannot:
- get you out of jail
- get you better prison conditions than are provided for locals or other nationals
- give legal advice
Don't be a victim of drugs abroad
- pack all luggage yourself and make sure it's securely fastened
- keep your luggage with you at airports and other departure points to avoid the possibility of having drugs planted in it
- be aware of approaches from people at airports - even seemingly innocent requests to look after someone's possessions can lead to problems
- don't carry anything through customs for someone else - if drugs are found you will be held responsible
- for similar reasons don't cross borders with people you don't know or drive across borders with unknown companions
- carry a doctor's prescription for any medication you may need in order to avoid unnecessary delays at customs and immigration checks
- be very cautious when accepting gifts from people abroad - it's easy to hide drugs in items such as trainers, cosmetics and children's toys
- don't allow yourself to be persuaded or coerced into carrying drugs - is it worth risking your life or spending seven years to life in prison for £2,000?
Visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Travel Advice pages for information on drug laws and penalties country by country.
The drugs trade also has a worldwide environmental impact. To find out more about this and its economic and social effects on local communities visit the Tourism Concern website. Tourism Concern is a charity campaigning for ethical and fairly traded tourism.
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