Foreign Office warning after holidaymakers are detained
Foreign Office warning after holidaymakers are detained
The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for more than 48 countries
There is a growing concern about the number of tourists arrested
(Image: Getty )
The Foreign Office has revised travel advice for 48 countries during the past few days. It follows growing concern about the number of British tourists being arrested for drug trafficking abroad.
During the past few months, UK nationals have been detained in countries including Spain, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Germany, Indonesia, Chile, and the United States, often after being caught with narcotics in their luggage. One of the most high profile cases has been that of Bella Culley, who went missing Thailand.
The 18-year-old from Teeside is currently held in a prison in Georgia on suspicion of drug offences.
Prosecuters are investigating 12kg of marijuana and 2kg of hashish found in a travel bag at Tbilisi International Airport, the BBC reports.
If found guilty, Miss Culley faces up to 20 years in jail or life imprisonment.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has revised its Safety and Security advice for 48 countries, highlighting the dangers of involvement with illegal substances.
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In some countries, even traces of cannabis on clothing can lead to arrest, and blood and urine tests may also be conducted.
The advice read: "There are severe penalties for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including cannabis. Airports have excellent technology to detect items, including in the baggage of transiting passengers."
For those planning a trip abroad, it's essential to stay informed by checking the latest travel advice on the gov.uk website, which provides detailed information for 226 countries.
The updated guidance for most countries states: "Updated information on the risks of being involved with illegal drugs, including cannabis. This includes the risk of arrest if you are found carrying drugs when transiting through the airport."
The advice underscores the harsh consequences of drug offences: "Illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties.
"You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through airports."
For those heading to Greece, the Foreign Office cautions: "Airports in Greece have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. Love dreamy Welsh homes? Sign up to our newsletter here
"This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers. Possession of even small quantities of illegal drugs can lead to a long prison sentence. Nitrous oxide is illegal to buy or sell for recreational use. You could be arrested or fined."
A similar alert is in place for the Netherlands, which reminds tourists: "Airports in the Netherlands have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers."
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The message is equally as stern for those bound for Turkey. Here, being caught with, using, or smuggling banned substances - including cannabis - can come with extremely harsh penalties.
Even those only passing through airports may find themselves facing prison terms of between four to 24 years, as well as hefty fines.
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