US citizen jailed in India for possession of 22lr ammo in airport

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Speaking of finding yourself in foreign airports with questionable firearms related objects reminds me of a story. My mom went to visit my sister who was living on an Israeli Kibbutz at the time. She was stopping there on her way to Germany to visit my brother who was in the Army. One afternoon after work they were at the local bar having a beer and playing cards when an old Bedouin walks in. My sister (who has a great sense of humor) walks up to the old guy and engages him in conversation for a couple of minutes and then walks back to the table. After a few minutes the old Bedouin walks up to the table where mom is shuffling cards says something in Arabic and motions for her to follow him. Mom looks at my sister and asked her what was going on. My sister replies that the old man is fascinated by mom's shuffling of the cards and that my sister has just sold her for 3 racing camels and a bunch of goats. The look on my mom's face must have been priceless just before my sister the old man and everyone else in the bar started laughing hysterically.

After a couple of weeks it was time for my mom to leave and go on to Germany. She had a couple of extra items which wouldn't fit into her luggage so my sister handed her a carry on bag for her to put the items in. The bag was from an Israeli company which produced arms and ammunition and had the name of the company and it's products emblazoned all over it. This happened back in the early 70's during the time of all those skyjackings. Not a single German customs officer or Bundespolizei for that matter made a peep about it. Nor did the customs agents or police in Norway or New York when she returned. It wasn't until she got home that my sister told her what the writing on the bag meant.
 
Sorry to hear your friend is having to go through this trouble for some 22lr. The really sad thing is if your friend would of slipped them (the local PD) a bribe well he would be home right now. Benjamin Franklin speaks louder in India than he does here.
 
I hope they will realise it was accidental and he is released. Got me thinking what would happen if someone got caught accidently bringing some .22 ammo into America.
 
I hope they will realise it was accidental and he is released. Got me thinking what would happen if someone got caught accidently bringing some .22 ammo into America.
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You would probably get a pretty good offer to buy from someone at Customs
 
Bad situation. In another country Americans are at a huge disadvantage. Those India police are conditioned to do whatever they are told. Common sense and compassion have no place in their reasoning process. Bad deal.
Security is a strange thing. I once traveled on a trip requiring numerous air stops and transfers. I went through the TSA screening so many times I lost count. When I finally got home and was cleaning out my carry-on bag I nearly fained when I found a large hunting-type knife in the bottom forgotten from a previous car trip. :eek: Never detected by TSA. Fortunate for me.
 
......if your friend would of slipped them (the local PD) a bribe well he would be home right now. Benjamin Franklin speaks louder in India than he does here.
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This is very risky. If the cops in a foreign country somehow "suggest" a bribe would be accepted you might get away with it. But if you just come out offering one they might take offense instead and then you are simply facing more charges and in some countries a beating as well.

Besides, when you go to other countries you never know if someone has a grudge against an American because not only do Americans get around a lot they can be very ignorant of other countries and their concepts of right and wrong.
 
In another country Americans are at a huge disadvantage.
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The thing many tourists forget is that, when in a foreign country, they aren't in America. Laws are different. Assuming one has the same rights to free speech and due process can lead to trouble. That also applies to gun/ammunition laws.
 
The thing many tourists forget is that, when in a foreign country, they aren't in America. Laws are different. Assuming one has the same rights to free speech and due process can lead to trouble. That also applies to gun/ammunition laws.
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And that really is the crux of the issue. We jail foreigners for contraband as well in our country, so I am not sure why we would expect our government intercede on behalf of an American that has committed such an offense in another country.

Those India police are conditioned to do whatever they are told. Common sense and compassion have no place in their reasoning process. Bad deal.
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Sure, the Indian Police are conditioned to uphold Indian Laws just like the US law enforcement agencies are conditioned to uphold US laws.
 
Though I have traveled what I think of as my fair share, I have not traveled through India and have no insight into dealing specifically with Indian Law Enforcement. I would have to fall back on my old favorite rules;
Don't be noticed
If you are noticed, be polite
When being polite, really be polite
When being really polite, if it looks like they are going to shoot you anyway ....RUN :eek:
 
An unfortunate situation,but their country,their laws. I don't travel that much, I have range boxes, not bags,with each dedicated to a specific use-rimfire,handgun, centerfire rifle, black powder. My modest amount of luggage is NEVER used for range purposes,hence the chance of a round of ammunition being found in one is very small.
 
I remember hearing a similar story about a year or so ago. Almost identical circumstances, .22 in luggage on a trip to India. The guy made bail, but had to wait months before anything happened. It took a long time for things to get settled.
 
It would be interesting to know if the people who caught him going out with shells are the same ones who let him in with them in the first place?
A clear case of C.Y.A.
 
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I feel awful for your friend...not a good situation.

What also concerns me is how that ammo made its way thru other security checkpoints.

Several weeks ago, a friend that is also a Police Detective attempted to go thru airport security with a .45 ACP casing caught in the tread of his sneaker. He had worn them the previous day at the range. He did a pretty serious carpet dance and nearly missed his flight.

Last year I was going to catch a flight and wore a belt that I use for a pistol belt while shooting at the range. As luck would have it, all the metal in my body set off the magnetometer and during a pat down they ran a test of explosive powder on my belt. Next thing I know I am in a private room showing all the ID I have explaining that I was shooting the day before wearing the very belt I had on. I, too, nearly missed my flight.

The moral to the story is do not bring anything to the airport that has been at a range or even a LGS. Even when playing with your toys the night before, make sure those articles of clothing and shoes are not the ones you wear to the airport. Better safe than sorry.
 
Indi said:
Sorry to hear your friend is having to go through this trouble for some 22lr. The really sad thing is if your friend would of slipped them (the local PD) a bribe well he would be home right now. Benjamin Franklin speaks louder in India than he does here.
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Exactly! Bribing at airport customs is expected! Your friend should get a local attorney wise to the ways of "expediting" matters. They are probably stunned he was willing to go to jail instead of laying out $200. Never to late to make amends but likely higher now that more officials are involved.
 
Hope he can get this handled quickly.


But any way it goes, I expect what he'll end up spending to deal with this will more than cover a set of very nice luggage that can be used for travel and travel only.

Using the same set of bags for range use and travel is foolish. This situation is exactly why. While it would usually be considered a simple mistake here, India isn't here. Mexico isn't here. International travel demands that the traveler be extremely aware of such differences and plan accordingly.
 
Or if you use the same bags for travel and range use. Clean them out thoroughly. I would think it's common sense, check EVERYTHING before you go to the airport.
Worst are the people who forget a gun in their bag. How do you forget a GUN? Do they also forget where they live? :rolleyes:
 
Indi
Sorry to hear your friend is having to go through this trouble for some 22lr. The really sad thing is if your friend would of slipped them (the local PD) a bribe well he would be home right now. Benjamin Franklin speaks louder in India than he does here.
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When the nuances are observed, IT'S NOT A BRIBE! IT'S A LOCAL ACCOMODATION! There is a significant difference, including being authorized, legal and deductable under the US (and other) tax codes, and does not violate the US Federal Corrupt Act. The nuances are pretty easy to master.

Whether some like it or not, most of the world accepts Franklins for "efficient service", including every embassy I've been to. (but don't try it in Singapore):D

But the real message, as several have noted above, is their rules apply in their sandlot. No Kings X for Yanks.
 
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