Many Britons Arrested Overseas for Drug Allegations

According to the Foreign Office, in the year leading up to March 2009, 991 out of the 7,000 Britons that have been arrested overseas, have been arrested for drug offenses. The report goes on to show that 148 Britons were held in the United States, 180 in Spain, another 63 in France, and even 54 in Thailand, over drug charges.

Out of the Brits arrested, apparently 22 of them could be facing the death penalty. Twelve of these men are located in Pakistan, three in the United States, four in Thailand, two in Bangladesh, and another one in the United Arab Emirates.

Spain is the country where most Brits get arrested overall, and by a significant margin. 2,290 Britons have been arrested in Spain alone. However, in proportion to the number of visitors, Britons are most likely to be arrested in the United Arab Emirates, where 294 were arrested. This was followed by Thailand and then by the United States.

The Foreign Office did point out that alcohol consumption is one of the biggest factors in why a number of Britons are either being arrested or needing hospital treatment overseas. Over the course of the year, there has also been 116 cases of Brits getting raped a broad. 28 of these rape cases were reportedly in Greece, along with 154 sexual assaults.

Chris Bryant, the Foreign office minister, said: “Helping those who do get into trouble is a vital part of our job, but so many of the problems we deal with can be avoided with a little bit of preparation. Researching the local laws and customs before you travel could help avoid time in a foreign jail.”

Thanks to www.guardian.co.uk for the above quote.