The British Embassy in Bangkok has issued a warning against smuggling cannabis into the UK, following an increase in arrests of air passengers arriving from Thailand, Canada, and the United States.
The press release states: “It is not worth the risk; jail warning for passengers flying to the UK after an increase in cannabis arrests.”
The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) is alerting travelers from these countries—where cannabis possession is fully or partially decriminalized—that they face severe legal consequences, including jail time, if caught bringing cannabis into the UK.
As of August 12, 2024, a total of 378 people have been arrested in connection with cannabis smuggling, with around 15 tonnes of the drug detected and seized at UK airports. This figure is three times higher than the total for 2023 and a significant increase from the two tonnes seized in 2022.
In 2023, over half of those arrested (71 individuals) had flown in from US airports, while 24 had traveled from Thailand and another 24 from Canada. This year, 184 arrests have involved cannabis originating from Thailand, 75 from Canada, and 47 from the US.
Many of the individuals caught smuggling cannabis were reportedly misled by recruiters, who told them they were only risking a fine if apprehended. In reality, the maximum sentence for cannabis importation in the UK is 14 years in prison.
In 2024 alone, 196 individuals have been convicted and collectively sentenced to nearly 188 years in prison. Passengers have most often been found carrying between 15 and 40 kilos of cannabis in their checked luggage. In one notable case, a 51-year-old Spanish national, Fernando Mayans Fuster, was caught at Manchester Airport in May with eight suitcases containing 158 kilos of the drug after arriving from Los Angeles. He was sentenced to three years and four months in prison.
Another incident on August 9 involved 11 British passengers arrested at Birmingham Airport after 510 kilos of cannabis were discovered in 28 items of luggage. These passengers had traveled from Thailand, transiting through Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. They have been released on bail until November 9th, pending further NCA investigations, and their cases are believed to be linked.
In some instances, officers have found electronic trackers with the drugs, likely placed by organized crime groups to monitor the illicit shipments. NCA experts believe this trend is driven by these criminal organizations, which recruit couriers to transport cannabis from countries where it is legal to the UK, where the drug can yield significantly higher profits.
James Babbage, NCA Director-General Threats, noted that while some couriers may not be fully aware of the severe penalties, most are operating under the influence of organized criminal gangs.
