Travel Warning on Drugs Abroad

Special Warning About Drug Offenses Abroad

Every year, several hundred Americans are arrested abroad on drug charges. Persons caught with illegal drugs in a foreign country are subject to the drug laws of that country, not those of the U.S.; as always, ignorance of the law is no excuse. In many countries, the burden of proof is on the accused to show that he or she is innocent of the charges.

Some Americans take advantage of an offer of an all-expenses-paid vacation abroad in exchange for carrying a small package in the luggage. When, to their surprise, they are caught, the fact that they did not know that there were drugs in that package will not reduce the charges against them.

Every aspect of a drug arrest abroad can be different from U.S. practice. For instance:

few countries provide a jury trial
many countries do not permit pre-trial release on bail
pre-trial detention, often in solitary confinement, can last several months
prisons may lack even minimal comforts, such as beds, toilets, and washbasins
diets are often inadequate and require supplements from relatives and friends
officials may not speak English
physical abuse, confiscation of property, degrading treatment and extortion are possible.
persons convicted may face sentences ranging from fines and jail time, to years of hard labor, and even the death penalty
penalties for drug possession and for drug trafficking are often the same abroad, so possession of one ounce of marijuana could result in years in a foreign jail
As with any arrest of a U.S. citizen abroad, consular officers perform a variety of services (see Arrests Abroad, above). For more information about arrests abroad, see http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1199.html.