Foreign Office ‘risk of arrest’ alert for 42 countries as UK teen faces prison
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has today (June 4) updated its travel guidance for almost 50 countries following the arrest of an 18-year-old British teenager. Bella Culley faces the possibility of life imprisonment due to drug charges. She stands accused of illegally purchasing, possessing and importing substantial amounts of narcotics, including cannabis.
Culley, from Billingham in Teesside, is thought to have disappeared from Thailand, only to be apprehended at Tbilisi International Airport in Georgia, some 3,700 miles away, on these charges. According to reports, she was allegedly caught attempting to smuggle 14kg of cannabis into the country.
The 18-year-old has been held there for 55 days as the prosecution continues its investigations. The BBC reports that this might be prolonged by another seven months.
The UK Foreign Office has now issued updated travel guidance for more than 40 global destinations, following the legalisation of low-strength cannabis in Thailand. This development presents a potential risk for travellers attempting to leave the country with the substance.
Criminal organisations are known to coerce people into transporting drugs. This has prompted the government to issue a new alert, advising travellers against carrying items through customs on behalf of others. In certain countries, even traces of cannabis on clothing can lead to arrest. Blood and urine tests may be conducted, too.
In a social media post on X, the official @FCDOtravelGovUK said: “Don’t smuggle illegal drugs. 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.”
You can check the latest Foreign Office travel advice on the gov.uk website, which lists 226 countries. A statement on the page reads: “Get advice and warnings about travel abroad, including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences.”
The 48 countries Foreign Office has updated its Safety and Security advice:
- Albania
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Latvia
- Bosnia and Hertzegovena
- Bulgaria
- Burundi
- Croatia
- Cyprus,
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Hungar
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo,
- Lichtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain,
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- USA
(Image: Getty)
The latest advice itself for the majority of countries reads: “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.”
It adds: “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 popular holiday destinations, like Greece, the Foreign Office says: “Airports in Greece have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. 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.”
Similarly, for the Netherlands, the government says: “Airports in the Netherlands have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.”
As for Turkey, Illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties. The government adds: “You should expect a long prison sentence of 4 to 24 years and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through airports.”
