Cannabis couriers misled by traders into thinking UK authorities are soft on drug, says NCA

Hundreds of cannabis couriers have been caught attempting to smuggle suitcases full of the drug through British airports.

They are being fooled by human traffickers into thinking that the British authorities are soft on them hemp and according to the National Crime Agency, they will get away with a fine.

A man who landed from Los Angeles with 158kg of the Class B drug – with a street value of £1million – in his and his children’s bags was jailed for more than three years in July.

Eleven British passengers from Thailand were arrested at Birmingham Airport this month after border guards reportedly found 510kg of cannabis in their bags.

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Charles Yates, the NCA’s deputy chief executive, said: “It’s quite brazen. Couriers are just walking through airports with suitcases full of cannabis, thinking they won’t be detected and if they are they’ll just get a fine.

“The reality is very different and we are making many arrests and seeing couriers going to jail. The numbers have increased dramatically in recent years.”

In 2022 there were 17 such arrests, last year 136 and this year so far there have been 378. Over the same period, the amount of cannabis seized has increased from two to 15 tonnes.

Most couriers, who can receive up to £10,000 from criminal gangs, come from countries where cannabis has been legalised for personal use and cultivation is permitted.

The approximately twelve countries include Canada, Thailand, Germany and parts of the United States.

Mr Yates said many of the UK’s two million cannabis smokers mistakenly believed legally grown cannabis was a better, stronger product and were prepared to pay more for it.

“Actually, the THC content (potency) is relatively similar between UK-grown and legally-grown cannabis. I think the drug traffickers are just good at marketing it in the UK.”

Chelsea Allingham, 40, arrived at Heathrow from Toronto in May with two suitcases full of cannabis. She was standing at the bar of her hotel when NCA officers arrested her and placed her in handcuffs.

Border Force officers discovered the drug but allowed Allingham to retrieve her bags from the carousel and followed her as she handed them over and settled in for a celebratory drink. She was jailed for 10 months.

James Babbage, Director General of the NCA’s Threats Division, said: “We urge anyone approached to take part in smuggling to think very carefully about the potential consequences of their actions and the risks they face.

“We know that organised criminals can be convincing and offer to pay couriers, but the chance of getting caught is high, and that risk is simply not worth it.

“The NCA is actively working with partners such as Border Force here in the UK and law enforcement internationally to target those involved in drug supply, including the networks behind it. Targeting those smugglers who play a critical role in the supply chain is one way in which we can do that.”

Migration and Citizenship Minister Seema Malhotra said: “Illegal drugs harm communities and fuel criminal gangs. We will not tolerate people trying to bring them into our country.

“Our Border Patrol agents are committed to detecting and seizing cannabis and other illegal drugs. Last year, Border Patrol seized a record amount of cannabis.

“Anyone caught bringing cannabis into the UK will face the full force of the law. Border Force will continue to work tirelessly with the NCA to keep illegal substances off our streets.”