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Foreign Office warning over drugs offence risks abroad Foreign Office warning over drugs offence risks abroad
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More than 850 British people are locked up in overseas prisons for drug-related offences, the Foreign Office has revealed as it launches a campaign to warn of the consequences of the crime.More than 850 British people are locked up in overseas prisons for drug-related offences, the Foreign Office has revealed as it launches a campaign to warn of the consequences of the crime.
With 32% of British detentions abroad over the past six months for drug offences, the Foreign Office has teamed up with the charity Prisoners Abroad to highlight the harsh penalties and stark conditions that Britons can face, often for drugs offences that would carry relatively light penalties in the UK.With 32% of British detentions abroad over the past six months for drug offences, the Foreign Office has teamed up with the charity Prisoners Abroad to highlight the harsh penalties and stark conditions that Britons can face, often for drugs offences that would carry relatively light penalties in the UK.
Mark Simmonds, minister for consular affairs, said: "This campaign is not about making excuses for people not aware of the law or passing judgements on foreign laws, I just want to make sure people are aware of the consequences. We can't interfere with other countries' legal systems nor can we get people out of prison and people need to understand that."Mark Simmonds, minister for consular affairs, said: "This campaign is not about making excuses for people not aware of the law or passing judgements on foreign laws, I just want to make sure people are aware of the consequences. We can't interfere with other countries' legal systems nor can we get people out of prison and people need to understand that."
In 2012-13, 669 British nationals were arrested for drug-related offences, with the highest number in the US (159), followed by Spain (103).In 2012-13, 669 British nationals were arrested for drug-related offences, with the highest number in the US (159), followed by Spain (103).
Among countries with tough regimes are two countries which are popular with gap year students: Peru, where more than 30 British nationals are currently in prison for drugs offences, and Thailand.Among countries with tough regimes are two countries which are popular with gap year students: Peru, where more than 30 British nationals are currently in prison for drugs offences, and Thailand.
In the United Arab Emirates, possession of even the smallest amount of illegal drugs, which can be evidenced by presence in the bloodstream, can lead to a minimum four-year jail sentence, whereas it might warrant a caution in the UK. Suspects can be detained for months without trial in some countries and some drugs offences can carry the death penalty in 33 countries or territories.In the United Arab Emirates, possession of even the smallest amount of illegal drugs, which can be evidenced by presence in the bloodstream, can lead to a minimum four-year jail sentence, whereas it might warrant a caution in the UK. Suspects can be detained for months without trial in some countries and some drugs offences can carry the death penalty in 33 countries or territories.
Prisoners Abroad says it is supporting 80 British prisoners between the ages of 18 and 30 held in foreign countries for drugs offences, two thirds of whom are still awaiting trial, with the rest serving sentences from a year to nearly 39 years.Prisoners Abroad says it is supporting 80 British prisoners between the ages of 18 and 30 held in foreign countries for drugs offences, two thirds of whom are still awaiting trial, with the rest serving sentences from a year to nearly 39 years.
The charity's chief executive, Pauline Crowe, said: "In many countries, men and women find themselves without access to food, clean water and the most basic of medical care. We urge people to consider the unsanitary conditions, overcrowded cells and the constant threat of disease before they get involved in drugs. They may have to live through these conditions for many, many years."The charity's chief executive, Pauline Crowe, said: "In many countries, men and women find themselves without access to food, clean water and the most basic of medical care. We urge people to consider the unsanitary conditions, overcrowded cells and the constant threat of disease before they get involved in drugs. They may have to live through these conditions for many, many years."
Terry Daniels, 40, is one of two British nationals who have described their experiences of being imprisoned abroad for drugs offences in a Foreign Office video. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison when she was 24 after her boss, who she was travelling with, was stopped in Gran Canaria carrying four kilograms of cocaine.Terry Daniels, 40, is one of two British nationals who have described their experiences of being imprisoned abroad for drugs offences in a Foreign Office video. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison when she was 24 after her boss, who she was travelling with, was stopped in Gran Canaria carrying four kilograms of cocaine.
Smith now gives talks in schools about the dangers of getting involved in drugs. "I think people think 'The Foreign Office will get me out. It's only a small bit of drugs,'" she said. "That's not how it works." Daniels now gives talks in schools about the dangers of getting involved in drugs. "I think people think 'The Foreign Office will get me out. It's only a small bit of drugs,'" she said. "That's not how it works."
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