UK seizes three times as much cannabis as in all of 2023

August 29, 2024 – (London) The National Crime Agency (NCA) reported on Wednesday that cannabis seizures at UK airports have reached unprecedented levels this year, with a total of around 15 tonnes – three times the total seized in 2023. The figure also marks a significant increase on the two tonnes seized in 2022.

The rise in cannabis smuggling has been attributed to organised crime gangs sourcing the drug from regions where it is legal to grow. These gangs use couriers to transport cannabis to the UK, where they can charge higher prices.

“Illegal drugs are damaging communities and fueling criminal gangs,” said Seema Malhotra, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. “We will not tolerate people trying to bring them into our country.”

In 2024, law enforcement arrested 378 individuals in connection with cannabis trafficking operations, 196 of whom have already been convicted and sentenced to a total of 188 years in prison. Notably, about half of this year’s arrests involved cannabis originating from Thailand, with additional cases tied to Canada and the United States.

James Babbage, the NCA’s director general for threats, urged potential couriers to reconsider their involvement in smuggling activities. “We would appeal to anyone who is approached to take part in smuggling to think very carefully about the potential consequences of their actions and the risks they are taking.”

The maximum penalty for importing cannabis into the UK can be up to 14 years in prison.