Surge in cannabis smuggling at UK airports, hundreds arrested

British airports have seen a surge in cannabis smuggling attempts, with hundreds of couriers apprehended carrying suitcases loaded with the drug. Traffickers trick these couriers into believing that UK authorities are lenient on cannabis, leading them to expect merely a fine, according to the National Crime Agency (NCA).

In July, a man arriving from Los Angeles was jailed for over three years after being caught with 158 kilos of cannabis, valued at £1m, in his and his children’s luggage. This month, eleven British travellers from Thailand were arrested at Birmingham Airport when Border Force officials discovered 510 kilos of cannabis in their bags.

Charles Yates, the NCA’s deputy director, highlighted the boldness of these couriers. “They walk through airports with cannabis-filled suitcases, thinking they will only face a fine if caught. The reality is starkly different, with numerous arrests and jail sentences being handed out. Arrests have surged in recent years.”

In 2022, there were 17 arrests, rising to 136 last year, and already reaching 378 this year. The volume of cannabis seized has increased from two to 15 tonnes in the same period. Many couriers, paid up to £10,000 by criminal gangs, come from countries where cannabis is legal for personal use, such as Canada, Thailand, Germany, and parts of the United States.

Yates noted a misconception among the UK’s two million cannabis users that legally grown cannabis is superior. “Actually, the potency is quite similar between UK-grown and legally grown cannabis. Traffickers are just good at marketing it in the UK.”

In May, Canadian Chelsea Allingham, 40, was arrested at Heathrow after arriving from Toronto with two suitcases of cannabis. She was detained by NCA officers at her hotel bar and subsequently jailed for 10 months. Border Force officials had tracked her movements from the carousel to her hotel.

NCA Director General of Threats James Babbage urged potential smugglers to reconsider. “Organised criminals can be persuasive and offer payment to couriers, but the risks of being caught are high and not worth it.”

The NCA collaborates with partners like Border Force in the UK and international law enforcement to target drug supply networks. “Targeting smugglers is one way to disrupt the supply chain,” Babbage added.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra, emphasised the harm caused by illegal drugs and the commitment to preventing them from entering the UK. “Our Border Force officers are dedicated to seizing cannabis and other illegal drugs. Last year, they seized a record amount of cannabis. Anyone caught bringing cannabis into the UK will face severe legal consequences.”