# Pay the ransom, go to jail **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 19, 2011, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-the-ransom-go-to-jail/586049 "2011-06-19T17:43:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2011, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-the-ransom-go-to-jail/586049/1 "2011-06-19T17:43:54Z")
[Link](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43454706/ns/world_news-africa/). > [@](#): > > MOGADISHU — A Somali court has jailed six foreigners including three Britons and an American for illegally carrying millions of dollars into the country to pay ransoms for the release of vessels held by pirates. > > Authorities in the Horn of Africa country seized two aircraft carrying $3.6 million in the capital Mogadishu late last month. > > \ > > Elmi said the six might be able to buy their freedom. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2011, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-the-ransom-go-to-jail/586049/2 "2011-06-19T18:27:20Z")
But wouldn’t that start a vicious jail-going-ransom-paying cycle? ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2011, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-the-ransom-go-to-jail/586049/3 "2011-06-19T22:15:09Z")
That’s what happens when you forgo the bribes for officials. Everybody there has to get their graft.