American media has been reporting incessantly about the American basketball player who has been imprisoned in Russia after authorities found some marijuana vape cartridges in her luggage.
This is far from the only case when Americans have been punished in foreign countries even if they did not bring or consume any illegal drugs in the country in question.
Read this article.
American Arrested In Dubai For Smoking Pot Before His Trip – In Las Vegas
This guy smoked pot legally at home before flying to the UAE.
“The 51 year old was a day into his visit when pancreatitis sent him to the hospital. His urine sample showed traces of pot in his system. And the hospital reported it to police. After 3 days in jail the man is confined to his hotel, pending charges.”
You should also read the linked article about the flight attendant going out on a date on a layover in the UAE. Police raided her date’s apartment and arrested both of them after they found two joints.
“People can still be charged and convicted in the UAE even if substances were taken outside the country, “as long as traces are still present in the bloodstream upon arrival in the UAE.”
Even worse, you can be arrested for having a speck of weed on your shoe.
Dubai Jails British Man with Bit of Marijuana on Shoe
I’ve also seen tourists rounded up in Bangkok bar areas and forced by police to submit to instant urine drug tests. If any level of drugs is found in the urine the tourist is either arrested or fined.
I don’t care if you use drugs, but I don’t want my readers going to jail. Be very careful with your drug use if you are going to be visiting Asia or the Middle East.
