Foreign office updates guidance for 48 countries - see full list

FOLLOWING THE ARREST OF A 18-YEAR-OLD, TRAVEL ADVICE FOR DOZENS OF COUNTRIES HAS BEEN UPDATED 09:11, 05 Jun 2025Updated 09:13, 05 Jun 2025 The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

(FCDO) has revised its travel guidance for almost 50 nations following the arrest of an 18-year-old Brit. Bella Culley faces the possibility of life imprisonment due to drug-related charges,

as she is accused of unlawfully purchasing, possessing, and importing significant quantities of narcotics. Culley, from Billingham in Teesside, is thought to have disappeared from Thailand,

only to be apprehended at Tbilisi International Airport in Georgia, approximately 3,700 miles away, on these allegations. Reports indicate that she was reportedly intercepted while

attempting to smuggle 14kg of cannabis into the nation. The 18-year-old has been held there for 55 days as the prosecution continues its inquiries. The BBC reports that this detention could

be prolonged by an additional seven months. The UK Foreign Office has now issued updated travel advice for close to 50 worldwide destinations, following the legalisation of low-strength

cannabis in Thailand. This change presents a potential risk for travellers attempting to leave the country with the substance. Criminal organisations are known to pressure individuals into

transporting drugs. This has led the government to issue a new alert, advising travellers against carrying items through customs for others, reports Plymouth Live. Article continues below In

certain countries, even traces of cannabis on clothing can lead to arrest. Blood and urine tests may also be conducted. In a recent tweet, the official @FCDOtravelGovUK account warned

travellers: "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." For those planning a trip abroad, it's crucial to stay updated with the Foreign Office travel advice available on

the gov.uk website, which covers 226 countries. The site advises: "Get advice and warnings about travel abroad, including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal

differences." THE FOREIGN OFFICE HAS REVISED ITS SAFETY AND SECURITY GUIDANCE FOR 48 COUNTRIES: * 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 Most of the updated advice for these nations highlights: "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." The advice emphasises: "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."

Article continues below For sun-seekers heading to Greece, the Foreign Office warns: "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." When it comes to trips to the Netherlands, they stress: "Airports in the Netherlands have excellent technology and security for

detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers." Regarding travel to Turkey, Brits are reminded that illegal drugs come with stern

repercussions, with the government cautioning: "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." For the USA, make sure to check state laws and follow rules on possession and use of controlled substances. The US Department of Justice provides a

list of all controlled substances.