Revealed: Over 850 Britons jailed abroad on drugs charges

More than 850 Britons are jailed overseas for drug-related charges with sentences up to 39 years and some facing the death penalty.

15:57 21 November 2013

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has revealed that there are more than 850 Britons who are locked up abroad due to drug related charges. While some were sentenced up to 39 years in prison, others are facing death penalty. 

The figures were released with the aim to warn others and prevent them from suffering the same fate.

The "Know Before You Go" campaign says that some countries have zero-tolerance approach when it comes to drug related offences and offenders are often subjected to strict penalties.

Some Britons who are travelling are often shocked once they were arrested as they can be detained for months without trial in distressing prison conditions.
Consular affairs minister Mark Simmonds told Sky News: 
"There's an assumption that what might be a cautionary offence in the UK will be a cautionary offence in other countries.

"People continue to be astonished at some of the penalties handed down for certain crimes overseas.

"In some countries possessing small amounts of marijuana can lead to decades in prison."