DON’T be hasty when it comes to what you take on vacation.
If you’re not careful, your trips could end, not just with a slap on the wrist, but with your wrist in handcuffs.
1
A fifth American tourist was arrested on Monday for carrying ammunition in his luggage at the Turks and Caicos airport.
The arrest came just weeks after another American traveler arrested in the Caribbean made headlines for the same crime.
Turks and Caicos police said CBS News that the unidentified American was arrested at Howard Hamilton International Airport “after ammunition was allegedly found during a routine security check.”
Details about the tourist’s identity remain unclear.
Four of the five Americans detained claimed they brought the ammunition by accident.
Ryan Watson, an Oklahoma father of two, was arrested in April after Turks and Caicos airport security found ammunition in his luggage.
Although Watson is currently free on bail, he is relegated to the British Isle while his case progresses through court.
Watson faces a possible minimum prison sentence of 12 years.
Tyler Wenrich, a Virginia paramedic and father of an 18-month-old son, was also arrested in April before boarding a cruise ship.
Like Watson, Wenrich faces a potential 12-year prison sentence after police found two bullets in his luggage.
Bryan Hagerich, a Pennsylvanian arrested for possessing ammunition in his luggage in February, is awaiting trial.
“I later spent eight nights in the local jail,” Hagerich told CBS News.
“Some of the darkest, hardest moments of my life, frankly.”
The island has prosecuted eight tourists since November 2022 for possession of firearms and ammunition.
Although possession of ammunition (including stray bullets) or a firearm is illegal in Turks and Caicos, visitors were previously able to pay a fine.
A court order proposed in February required tourists to potentially face prison time in addition to a fine.
In April, the US State Department issued a travel advisory for Americans traveling to the island to be careful with their luggage.
“Check your luggage carefully for missing ammunition or forgotten weapons before departing the United States,” he warned.
“Declaring a weapon in your luggage to an airline does not grant permission to bring the weapon into Turks and Caicos and will result in your arrest.”
“TSA screening in the United States may not identify ammunition in your luggage; it is your responsibility to ensure your luggage is free of ammunition and/or firearms.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
