What to know amid Turks and Caicos news – NBC Boston

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Three Americans detained in Turks and Caicos Islands for possession of ammunition They face a possible 12-year prison sentence after being arrested for what they say are innocent mistakes.

This situation is a good reminder to be aware of local laws any time you leave the United States.

If you’re planning a trip abroad, your first stop should be US Department of State websitewhere you can get important safety and security information about your destination.

“Oftentimes, people are exploring a little more to unknown destinations they’ve never been to before, or destinations that may have an increased warning warning on the State Department’s website,” says Katie Nastro, a travel expert at flight search site Going. “. “We tend not to think about doing the same steps before traveling to leisure destinations like an island in the Caribbean, or anywhere we may have been before.”

The US State Department is warning travelers of strict new laws in the Turks and Caicos Islands that provide a mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years for bringing weapons or ammunition onto the island. Follow NBC10 Boston on… Instagram: instagram.com/nbc10boston TikTok: tiktok.com/@nbc10boston Facebook: facebook.com/NBC10Boston X: twitter.com/NBC10Boston

But it’s a good idea to check the State Department’s website before each trip so you can make informed decisions. The State Department issues travel advisory levels for every country in the world based on conditions, ranging from a minimum of Level 1 to Level 4, which is a do not travel warning.

“She also advises against regulations or different things that have come up recently,” Nastro says. “If you go to the State Department website now and look at the Turks and Caicos Islands, there is advice to check your bags for things like ammunition that you cannot travel with that you have when you travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

An Indiana woman, whose son was sentenced to eight months in Turks and Caicos prison last year for possession of ammunition, spoke of a similar case against an Oklahoma man.

Nastro says it’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with local laws to avoid any run-ins with local authorities.

“One perfect example of awareness of local laws and regulations is chewing gum in Singapore. “This is something that has been talked about in the past, because oftentimes tourists come to the country and don’t realize that spitting gum and chewing gum itself is prohibited,” she says. Also be aware of what you say. In some countries, you’re not allowed to talk bad about the government, or, you know, use a certain type of swear word. Again, being aware of some of the differences in local laws and regulations before traveling to a country can really prepare you to be a better, smarter traveler.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs website also provides information on local customs and customs. In some countries, tight clothing, sleeveless shirts and shorts are not acceptable.

“A lot of information can be found through different Facebook groups,” Nastro says. “Going has an amazing travel community you can join where people share tips and ideas on what a particular destination will be like after traveling there… as well as following local media to get a better idea of what’s happening on the ground.”

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You may also want to consider signing up for the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. It’s a free service that sends you emails with weather, safety, and security updates from your local U.S. embassy or consulate.

If there is an emergency, it also helps them contact you and give you instructions on what to do. You can register here: step.state.gov.