Do not Allow a Drug Arrest to Ruin your Vacation : 111 Travel Directory

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Do not Allow a Drug Arrest to Ruin your Vacation

Many countries have stiff penalties for drug violations, and strictly enforce their drug laws. If you are caught buying, selling, carrying, or using any type of drug, you will be arrested. You are subject to foreign laws overseas, not U.S. laws.

By Larry Westfall

About 3000 Americans are arrested abroad each year. Of these, approximately one-third are detained on drug charges. Despite repeated warnings, drug arrests and convictions are still a common occurrence.

Many countries have stiff penalties for drug violations, and strictly enforce their drug laws. If you are caught buying, selling, carrying, or using any type of drug - from hashish to heroin, marijuana to mescaline, cocaine to quaaludes - you will be arrested. You are subject to foreign laws overseas, not U.S. laws, and, if arrested, you will find that:

Few countries provide a jury trial.

Trials are often long, with delays and postponements.

Most countries do not accept bail.

Pre-trial detention, often in solitary confinement, may last for months.

If you are convicted, you face a possible sentence of:

Two to ten years in many countries

A minimum of six years of hard labor and a stiff fine in some countries

The death penalty in a number of countries (e.g. Malaysia, Pakistan, Turkey, Thailand, Saudi Arabia)

During recent years, there has been an increase in the number of women arrested abroad. Usually these women serve as drug couriers or 'mules' and believe that they can make fast money and have a vacation at the same time - without being caught. Instead of a vacation, they receive a permanent residence in an overseas jail.

U.S. citizens have been arrested abroad on drug charges because they possessed just one ounce or less of marijuana. The risk of being jailed for just one marijuana cigarette is simply not worth it!

Once you are arrested, the U.S. consular officer CANNOT get you out of jail or out of the country!

Likewise, the U.S. consular officer CANNOT

Represent you at trial or give you legal counsel.

Pay legal fees and/or fines with U.S. Government funds.

Please remember!

If someone offers you a free trip and some quick and easy money, just for bringing back a suitcase ... SAY NO!

Do not carry a package for anyone, no matter how small it may be.

Do not let anyone pack your suitcases for you while you are abroad.

If the drugs are in your suitcase, you will be caught.

Do not get involved with illegal drugs overseas! It can spoil more than your vacation. It can ruin your life!

About the Author:

Larry Westfall is a frequent traveler to the Land of Smiles - Thailand - and owner of Pattaya Beach Hotels. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com)

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Article added 12/17/07, last revised 12/17/07.