There are roughly 5,500 Brits locked up around the world, many of them on drugs charges.
ITV’s new eye-opening documentary Brits Behind Bars delved into the deep, dark stories of a handful of UK citizens who broke foreign laws and are now facing terrifying consequences – even death.
extradition to a foreign jail has got to be one of worst things ever. If any of these people are innocent then its terrible #britsbehindbars
— Keegan (@Keegan8819) July 28, 2015
One unlucky Brit, not quite behind bars yet facing the threat of imprisonment, was Dan Macdonald, who was arrested after being found carrying 10kg of cannabis resin at an airport in Prague, Czech Republic.
The Essex man claimed his fiancée had handed him the drug-lined suitcase at the last minute as they were preparing to jet back home from their holiday, though he had no knowledge of its content.
I actually felt sorry for that guy! He definitely fell in love with the wrong one 🙈 #BritsBehindBars
— Stefalicious (@steffanielew_) July 28, 2015
That bloke getting stitched up by his fiancée is the perfect reason my suitcase is for me only! I dont care if people laugh #BritsBehindBars
— Mark (@markwools) July 28, 2015
Having been escorted off the flight to the police station, he was relieved to have been sat in front of a British detective who informed him the charges had been dropped and handed him a letter confirming the news.
It all sounded a bit fishy, nevertheless Dan was allowed back on British soil.
Following his lucky escape, he soon realised the Czech authorities had a different idea in mind and were fighting to have him extradited to stand trial for drug smuggling, which carried a 12-year sentence.
felt quite sorry 4 bloke being extradited though I don't know full story just doesn't seem right going in a foreign prison #britsbehindbars
— Rachel Stewart (@Rachs_charlie) July 28, 2015
#britsbehindbars is shocking 12 years in a prison in a foreign country for hash!!! #thiscountrieswrong #gochaserealcrime #disgusting
— millie (@xox_millie) July 28, 2015
As luck would have it, Dan happened to have lost the letter given to him by the British detective, supposedly explaining he was off the hook. What’s worse is that he couldn’t even remember her name.
And no one could quite believe it…
Yeah i got given this letter that said the case was closed, but i lost it. Cant remember the officers name either. 😩#britsbehindbars
— Lewis Tracey (@big_doi) July 28, 2015
I still got a letter rescinding a £40 parking fine yet this idiot loses a letter getting him off with smuggling 10k of weed #BritsBehindBars
— Helen Kirky-B (@Kirkers05) July 28, 2015
How can someone loose a letter stating their innocence of a serious crime. Surely you'd guard it with your life #britsbehindbars
— Trish (@MumaTee) July 28, 2015
Intent on remembering the mysterious detective’s name (and avoiding a decade banged up abroad) Dan even attended hypnotherapy sessions… to no avail.
I hope he brings up his hypnotic sessions to the Czech courts, solid defence there… #BritsBehindBars
— Gavin Branch (@Gavlarr88) July 28, 2015
Soon he was back in court in the UK and was given the heart-wrenching news that he would indeed by facing extradition to the Czech Republic.
He was given two weeks to pack his things up and say his goodbyes, before meeting police at Heathrow Airport.
Surely, given the circumstances, appearing on an @ITV documentary isn't the most covert strategy for evading arrest eh Dan! #britsbehindbars
— CeriAngharad Wareing (@CeriAWareing) July 28, 2015
Suddenly, as if the plot couldn’t thicken any more, the story took a surprising twist… Dan’s mother found the all-important letter, confirming the case against him had in fact been dropped and cynical Tweeters were all forced to eat their hasty words…
The missing letter is FOUND WTF – apologies Dan I had you down as a crim #britsbehindbars
— Bella (@BellaRoonzz) July 28, 2015
He had a letter! I take it back #britsbehindbars sorry Dan
— Cherry Morgan (@Sweetcheekscher) July 28, 2015
I'm happy for Dan but someone please get him a filing cabinet #britsbehindbars
— Seb Tyler (@sebtyler123) July 28, 2015
#britsbehindbars Definatly a film plot somewhere in Dans story, can picture the final scene as his Mums runs to the plane letter in hand
— simon rankin (@syjamr) July 28, 2015
