2 British girls arrested for drug smuggling in Peru

Trollheart · 08-23-2013, 02:02 PM

So what's your solution Julian? I asked you and Batty this and got no reply. Given a choice, would you
a) Punish the carriers because you can't get to the bosses or
b) Let them go free/go easy on them because see (a) above?

I mean, what you're suggesting is utopianism thinking isn't it? They didn't know (yeah) so let them go or go easy on them? You think they haven't at one time or another watched "Banged up abroad" or any of the other dozens of TV shows and films that lay out the dangers of doing this? Of course they knew; if they didn't then they should be locked up somewhere where they won't get to see ... oh wait...

Look I know it's not good to laugh at people being imprisoned but their whole attitude is what landed them here. They thought they'd make some fast money and become folk heroes among their mates, and as CB says had they got away with this they'd have been gloating all over FaceBloodyBook and so on about how clever they were. They're getting what they deserved and you'll find few people who have sympathy for them.

However

This conversation is just going in circles now. You have your ideas of what should have been done, I have mine and for the sake of friendship and maintaining harmony (nice girl, she is! Almost as nice as Melody!)

and not contributing to drama I'll just bow out now and let's all agree to have our own opinions but understand others have different ones. And I'll go back to writing about Marillion, Futurama and preparing for Metal Month!

~~Cuthbert~~ · 08-23-2013, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

So it can be clarified that you don't really care about the crime, but do think 25 years is a suitable prison sentence because they told lies in a smug way.

They should get the suitable punishment for the crime, if the law says 25 years then that's what they should get, that is what I'm saying, they should not be let off because they are young women or thick as shit or because they play the sympathy card.

I'm lolling at them because they've lied and their story is so embarrassingly shit.

If they'd have nicked a packet of crisps from a supermarket over there I wouldn't be saying they should get 25 years if they lied about it even if the law said they should only get a fine.

Quote:

I can remember a case in either an Asian or African state about 15 years ago, where a guy had been caught drug smuggling, he was awaiting execution for his crime. He was crying as he told his story to the reporters, of how he wasn't aware that there was a death penalty if he was caught. He wasn't the brightest of people and it was obvious he'd had no real education and had been lured with easy money. I watched that interview and I remember it as I had just done my Masters degree, and also I had no idea that the death penalty applied in that country and neither did any of the people I mentioned it to either. I see no reason why these two girls should be aware of the 25 year prison sentence in Peru either.

They don't have to be aware of it being 25 years, the crux to it is they will have known it carried a heavy punishment and that it was illegal (same as that guy in your story).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

....and how do you propose that's done. Having the Americans or the UN invade?

It's irrelevant to the point I'm making. Just cos the barons get off we're supposed to think these should get off as well? You're saying people should have a free shot at smuggling drugs?

Unknown Soldier · 08-23-2013, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

So what's your solution Julian? I asked you and Batty this and got no reply. Given a choice, would you
a) Punish the carriers because you can't get to the bosses or
b) Let them go free/go easy on them because see (a) above?

I mean, what you're suggesting is utopianism thinking isn't it? They didn't know (yeah) so let them go or go easy on them? You think they haven't at one time or another watched "Banged up abroad" or any of the other dozens of TV shows and films that lay out the dangers of doing this? Of course they knew; if they didn't then they should be locked up somewhere where they won't get to see ... oh wait...

Look I know it's not good to laugh at people being imprisoned but their whole attitude is what landed them here. They thought they'd make some fast money and become folk heroes among their mates, and as CB says had they got away with this they'd have been gloating all over FaceBloodyBook and so on about how clever they were. They're getting what they deserved and you'll find few people who have sympathy for them.

However

This conversation is just going in circles now. You have your ideas of what should have been done, I have mine and for the sake of friendship and maintaining harmony (nice girl, she is! Almost as nice as Melody!)

and not contributing to drama I'll just bow out now and let's all agree to have our own opinions but understand others have different ones. And I'll go back to writing about Marillion, Futurama and preparing for Metal Month!

This is not a simple solution but neither is handing out ridiculous sentences either. To keep this short and sweet. I'd sentence the girls to about 5 years community service in Peru, where they'd need to work an 8 hour day 5 days a week, aiding some of the local communities either urban or rural, as both are quite distinct there. They would work in the capacity of labouring, caring and teaching in these communities, basically doing voluntary work for 5 years and would have to stay in Peru for this time period. In that time they would've learnt a lot of new skills and given a hell of a lot to the local population and really do some good. Sentencing somebody for a crime should be a remedial exercise where possible and in this case it could be so and they could pay for their crime this way. Because just chucking them in a Peruvian prison for years on end, achieves nothing, other than satisfying sadists who like to see human suffering. These prisons should be for violent and dangerous offenders and not for a couple of easily led girls.

Trollheart · 08-23-2013, 02:35 PM

Just so you know I read your reply (thanks for the answer) I think that's a good idea on the surface, but what would happen if the girls legged it while on some jungle trail or whatever, is what I would worry about. However at least that shows you are thinking about solutions, not just rubbishing what's being done at the moment.

I also think a good idea would be to properly educate Western people as to the risks they take if they do this sort of thing. People going on holidays to these countries might have the option maybe of sitting through a short video or being sent a pamphlet clearly outlining what the laws in that country are, how they differ to the UK and what those who break them can expect.

Although I definitely don't subscribe to this idea that they didn't know what they were risking. They knew it, and were too arrogant to believe they would be caught.

Unknown Soldier · 08-23-2013, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Just so you know I read your reply (thanks for the answer) I think that's a good idea on the surface, but what would happen if the girls legged it while on some jungle trail or whatever, is what I would worry about. However at least that shows you are thinking about solutions, not just rubbishing what's being done at the moment.

I'd think they'd be fairly aware of the consequences of trying to leg it, which would entail a prison sentence. As for legging it on a jungle trail, I think you've been watching too many movies, as their chances of making it would be remote

. I mean how could they leave without papers and money.

**Scarlett O'Hara** · 08-23-2013, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

This is not a simple solution but neither is handing out ridiculous sentences either. To keep this short and sweet. I'd sentence the girls to about 5 years community service in Peru, where they'd need to work an 8 hour day 5 days a week, aiding some of the local communities either urban or rural, as both are quite distinct there. They would work in the capacity of labouring, caring and teaching in these communities, basically doing voluntary work for 5 years and would have to stay in Peru for this time period. In that time they would've learnt a lot of new skills and given a hell of a lot to the local population and really do some good. Sentencing somebody for a crime should be a remedial exercise where possible and in this case it could be so and they could pay for their crime this way. Because just chucking them in a Peruvian prison for years on end, achieves nothing, other than satisfying sadists who like to see human suffering. These prisons should be for violent and dangerous offenders and not for a couple of easily led girls.

I really like this idea. At the end of the day the police will keep their papers and they could report every week to a probation officer. I think this would really teach them some great life skills and that life isn't always about drugs and parties.

Unknown Soldier · 08-24-2013, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanilla

I really like this idea. At the end of the day the police will keep their papers and they could report every week to a probation officer. I think this would really teach them some great life skills and that life isn't always about drugs and parties.

It's a great solution for non-violent offenders and a solution where so many people benefit long term. Especially in a country like Peru where prison capacity is running at 200%.

PoorOldPo · 08-24-2013, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Batlord

I imagine the one would go well with the other. I wonder if there's some sort of procedure to make a woman's boob into a bong...

If we don't come up with the like, our children, or children's children will, and the world will be a brighter place.

djchameleon · 08-24-2013, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

This is not a simple solution but neither is handing out ridiculous sentences either. To keep this short and sweet. I'd sentence the girls to about 5 years community service in Peru, where they'd need to work an 8 hour day 5 days a week, aiding some of the local communities either urban or rural, as both are quite distinct there. They would work in the capacity of labouring, caring and teaching in these communities, basically doing voluntary work for 5 years and would have to stay in Peru for this time period. In that time they would've learnt a lot of new skills and given a hell of a lot to the local population and really do some good. Sentencing somebody for a crime should be a remedial exercise where possible and in this case it could be so and they could pay for their crime this way. Because just chucking them in a Peruvian prison for years on end, achieves nothing, other than satisfying sadists who like to see human suffering. These prisons should be for violent and dangerous offenders and not for a couple of easily led girls.

Community service for trafficing? come on now. You are acting like they were caught with just a little bit that they were using for recreational purposes. Horrible idea!

Guybrush · 08-25-2013, 01:30 AM

The policy in regards to punishment down there is so that punishment should be so tough that it discourages people from being drug mules. If a case gets international attention, I would think that Peruvian authorities would generally think of it as a good thing and a chance to make an example. I personally think lighter punishment like Unknown Soldier mentions, or them serving some sentence in the UK instead, makes more sense, morally speaking, but I doubt that will happen.

08-23-2013, 02:02 PM	#71 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	So what's your solution Julian? I asked you and Batty this and got no reply. Given a choice, would you a) Punish the carriers because you can't get to the bosses or b) Let them go free/go easy on them because see (a) above? I mean, what you're suggesting is utopianism thinking isn't it? They didn't know (yeah) so let them go or go easy on them? You think they haven't at one time or another watched "Banged up abroad" or any of the other dozens of TV shows and films that lay out the dangers of doing this? Of course they knew; if they didn't then they should be locked up somewhere where they won't get to see ... oh wait... Look I know it's not good to laugh at people being imprisoned but their whole attitude is what landed them here. They thought they'd make some fast money and become folk heroes among their mates, and as CB says had they got away with this they'd have been gloating all over FaceBloodyBook and so on about how clever they were. They're getting what they deserved and you'll find few people who have sympathy for them. However This conversation is just going in circles now. You have your ideas of what should have been done, I have mine and for the sake of friendship and maintaining harmony (nice girl, she is! Almost as nice as Melody!) and not contributing to drama I'll just bow out now and let's all agree to have our own opinions but understand others have different ones. And I'll go back to writing about Marillion, Futurama and preparing for Metal Month! __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

08-23-2013, 02:35 PM	#74 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	Just so you know I read your reply (thanks for the answer) I think that's a good idea on the surface, but what would happen if the girls legged it while on some jungle trail or whatever, is what I would worry about. However at least that shows you are thinking about solutions, not just rubbishing what's being done at the moment. I also think a good idea would be to properly educate Western people as to the risks they take if they do this sort of thing. People going on holidays to these countries might have the option maybe of sitting through a short video or being sent a pamphlet clearly outlining what the laws in that country are, how they differ to the UK and what those who break them can expect. Although I definitely don't subscribe to this idea that they didn't know what they were risking. They knew it, and were too arrogant to believe they would be caught. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

08-25-2013, 01:30 AM	#80 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	The policy in regards to punishment down there is so that punishment should be so tough that it discourages people from being drug mules. If a case gets international attention, I would think that Peruvian authorities would generally think of it as a good thing and a chance to make an example. I personally think lighter punishment like Unknown Soldier mentions, or them serving some sentence in the UK instead, makes more sense, morally speaking, but I doubt that will happen. __________________ Something Completely Different