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Suzie's Blogs ...Traveling & Living Abroad Hints & Tips |
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Suzie's Blogs ... Traveling & Living Abroad Hints & Tips |
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Immediately contact the U.S. Embassy or the nearest U.S. consulate or consular agent. For You should also report the crime to the local police immediately. Avoiding Legal Problems While traveling in Mexico, you are subject to Mexican laws and not U.S. laws. Tourists who commit illegal acts have no special privileges and are subject to full prosecution under the Mexican judicial system. Avoid drug offenses. Mexico rigorously prosecutes drug cases. Under Mexican law, possession of and trafficking in illegal drugs are federal offenses. For drug trafficking, bail does not exist. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. Sentences for possession of drugs in Mexico can be as long as 25 years plus fines. Just as in the U.S., the purchase of controlled medication requires a doctor's prescription. The Mexican list of controlled medication differs from the U.S. list and Mexican public health laws concerning controlled medication are unclear. Possession of excessive amounts of a psychotropic drug such as Valium can result in your arrest if the authorities suspect abuse. Mexican law does not differentiate between types of narcotics. Heroin, marijuana, and amphetamines, for example, are treated the same. Offenders found guilty of possessing more than a token amount of any narcotic substance are subject to a minimum sentence of 10 months in prison, and it is not uncommon for persons charged with drug offenses to be detained for up to 1 year before a verdict is reached. Remember, if narcotics are found in your vehicle, you are subject to arrest and your vehicle can be confiscated. Thanks for dropping in. see you tomorrow for more on travel to Mexico. Suzie Suzie's Blogs Visit Suzie's Business Startups Blog Posted: Saturday 22nd January 2005, 12:09 AM |