Installment Ninety-one
The US Embassy is very concerned about the increasing number of American citizens and US Legal Permanent Residents who have been arrested in Guyana for narcotics related offences. Often, these individuals, blinded by the prospect of financial gain or other reward, agree to get involved in drug trafficking. The sad reality is that many of them end up in prison or worse. Serving time in prison is difficult, even more so in a foreign country far away from home. American citizens are encouraged to exercise sound judgment if faced with a situation that potentially involves drug trafficking.
The following information (or questions and answers) is intended to increase awareness of the risks and warning signs that lead up to, and the very severe penalties associated with, drug trafficking.
Q: I am planning a trip to the US and someone asked me to take some packages. What should I do?
A: You will be held responsible for the contents of your luggage. Do not accept packages from persons you do not know, and do not allow anyone to place packages in your luggage. Be aware that individuals travelling to the US are often tricked into carrying illegal substances. Illegal substances can be concealed in almost anything, so be certain you know what you are carrying in your luggage.
Carrying drugs, either in your luggage or hidden on your person is illegal. Drug laws in Guyana are strict – travellers found carrying even a small amount of narcotics risk long jail sentences and heavy fines.
Q: If a US Citizen is arrested in Guyana, what assistance can the US Embassy offer?
A: The Embassy visits arrested US citizens and can notify their family and friends of their detention. The Embassy cannot get an arrested US citizen out of jail.
Q: If a US Citizen is arrested in Guyana, will they be sent home to the US immediately?
A: No. The individual must face the Guyanese legal system, hire an attorney authorized to practice in Guyana, and often undergo a lengthy legal process. Persons convicted of drug related offences are often sentenced to – and serve – several years in jail.
Q: I know some people who are offering to pay my airfare and hotel and give me a paid vacation in Guyana. Is this legitimate?
A: Any such offer is probably not credible. You will likely be asked to be a drug carrier. Many US citizens have been offered such incentives only to end up in jail. Spending four or five long years in prison is not worth the free trip or cash incentive.
Q: I am a US citizen and I have already come to Guyana on a free paid vacation and I have been asked to carry drugs back to the US. I am afraid and I want to go home.
A: Do not risk ruining your life by agreeing to carry drugs; it is illegal and you will not be better off if you carry drugs. You will very likely go to jail. You should contact the American Citizen Services Unit at the US Embassy at 225-4900-9 ext 4222. They can assist you in contacting your friends or family in the US who can wire you funds to help get you back to the US safely.
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“Ask the Consul” is a bi-weekly column
from the U.S. Embassy answering questions about U.S. immigration law and visa issues. If you have a general question about visa policy please email it to us at AskGeorge@state.gov.
We select questions every other week and publish the answers in Stabroek News and on our website at http://georgetown.usembassy. gov/guyana/ask_con.html. For more information about visas please see http://www.
unitedstatesvisas.gov or http://georgetown. usembassy.gov/.
Other than the questions we select, we DO NOT respond to questions sent to Ask the Consul. Please contact the visa inquiries unit (email visageorge@state.gov or call 225-7965 between 8 am and 4 pm Monday through Friday) if you have questions about a specific case.
