ChatterBank2 mins ago
Drugs
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Hi, I'm not sure I'm posting this in the right place, if not please say. My good friend is going to Crete with another friend in a couple of weeks and is taking some dope with her on the aeroplane. I think it's a very bad idea but as she's a grown women it's up to her. I would like to discourge her by telling her what plenalty she could expect if she is caught. She's taking about a quater in her knickers. Anyone know what would happen if she was caught? Thanks
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If she is not known to the police she will just get a caution under current drugs legislation. Even though dope was lowered to class C--- IT IS STILL AN OFFENCE.
However...........and a big however. Concealing anything in an airport, let alone on an actual aeroplane, is a serious offence, since The Prevention of terrorism act 2003 (brought in post 9/11). It does not have to be a weapon, nor indeed anything of a terrorist nature, but it is the concealment of "anything" with any criminal intent. The maximum penalty I believe is 15 years. At the moment, to my knowledge, there is no case law on the matter so Judges have to set a "new target"
Further, as it is under terrorism, her rights are not the same as "normal" detained people. Very limited freedom for example with the possibility of no solicitor.
Further, numerous safety regulations about conceling come under Aviation Law which I am no expert.
Further, Further. I do not know the laws in Greece. I imagine they are more severe over there.
My advice to her would be......If she feels desperate and sad enough to smoke dope whilst on holiday, then purchase some out there. Under the Human Rights Act, there will be no official "agents provocateurs" out there (that is under-cover police offering her drugs and nicking her when she accepts) From my experience of Greece (NOT DRUGS!!!) they are offerred in numerous clubs etc.
Further, just to add there are sniffer dogs who embarrassingly stick their noses everywhere, including the crotches of women, at all major airports. Trust me her knickers will not hide the aroma. I don't know about Greece, but given the fact a lot of dope comes into Europe via Turkey, I imagine they are pretty hot on the issue esp given political relationships with the two.
And in her knickers??? I am no Sherlock Holmes, but its a pretty obvious place.
Taking dope into any country is never a good idea.
I don't know what the penalty is in Crete for carrying it, but remember Gary Fagan? He lives fairly local to me (I don't know him) and went to Greece on a plane spotting trip. He and some friends were imprisoned for god knows how long just for taking photos by an airport fence. He's back in England, but it took some major diplomatic string-pulling to get him out of it.
I don't know what the penalty is in Crete for carrying it, but remember Gary Fagan? He lives fairly local to me (I don't know him) and went to Greece on a plane spotting trip. He and some friends were imprisoned for god knows how long just for taking photos by an airport fence. He's back in England, but it took some major diplomatic string-pulling to get him out of it.
Just remind your friend what happened to a group of perfectly innocent plane spotters who took a trip to Greece a couple of years ago and got arrested & jailed for spying. Your friend is asking for trouble and I think you should be having a conversation with yourself about how you will react if she's arrested and then starts appealing to you for help to get her out of her mess
Tell her to grow up and start acting responsibility. The international terrorism and drugs trafficking climate is such that anybody who breaks the law deserves what's coming to them.
The enclosed site gives you some idea.
http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1098377488839
Greece is very strict on the importing of drugs and even small quantities for personal use can lead to a life sentence.
Your friend is inherently stupid. In Greece, if she makes it that far, possession of even small quantities of drugs can lead to lengthy prison terms and even life imprisonment. Greece has some of the strictest drug laws in Europe and they make no distinction between possession and pushing. If someone gets involved with drugs abroad, the British Consul cannot get them out of jail, or get better prison conditions than are provided for local or other nationals, or give legal advice. If someone you are travelling with is caught with drugs, you are likely to be implicated also and can face the same penalties. There is a leaflet from the FCO (below) but I doubt your friend would be capable of reading it.
http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/Drugs%20Information%20for%20Travellers.pdf
Yes, you have a duty to tell her just what a risk she is taking, if you are her friend. You don't have to get on a moral high horse about it, just tell her that you are concerned for her and maybe refer her to some of the answers you have seen here. At the end of the day it is indeed her decision as an adult as to what risks to take in life, but there is absolutely no harm in telling someone you care about that you are worried about the consequences of something. If she is a true friend, she will listen to you.
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