Britons are being caught out by strict foreign laws

Hundreds of travelling Britons are being caught out by strict foreign laws against trafficking drugs, the Government warned yesterday. More than 1,000 are in jails overseas, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said.

Spain has the most, 207, followed by the US with 141 and Thailand and France, which both hold 79. Minister Chris Bryant said travellers should be “extremely wary” of being sucked into drugs because they face long terms in harsh conditions.

He said: “The message is clear: we can’t get people out of jail in other countries, so if you don’t want to waste your life away in a tough foreign jail, be sensible and keep clean.”

His comments come after a Briton was executed in China in December. Mentally ill Akmal Shaikh, 53, a father of three from London, was killed by lethal injection after being caught carrying in 8.8lb of heroin.

Of 2,582 Britons in jails overseas, 1,057 are held over drugs, according to the Government. It warned of unrealistic expectations of what can be done if travellers are arrested. One in five believes diplomatic staff can get them out.