Hundreds of cannabis couriers have been arrested trying to smuggle suitcases full of cannabis through UK airports.
The National Crime Agency says dealers are led to believe that UK authorities are lenient on cannabis and will only face fines.
A man who landed from Los Angeles with 158 kilos of class B drugs, with a street value of £1 million, in his and his children’s luggage, was sentenced to more than three years in prison in July.
This month, 11 British passengers from Thailand were arrested at Birmingham airport by border force officers who allegedly found 510 kilos of cannabis in their bags.
NCA Deputy Director Charles Yates said: Couriers think that they can just walk around the airport with a suitcase full of cannabis and not be detected, or that if they are detected, they will only be fined.
“The reality is totally different. We have made many arrests and seen couriers sent to prison. The numbers have increased dramatically in recent years.”
There have been 17 such arrests in 2022, 136 last year and 378 so far this year. The amount of cannabis seized in the same period has increased from 2 tons to 15 tons.
Most of the couriers who are receiving rewards of up to £10,000 from criminal gangs are from countries that have legalized cannabis for personal use and allow cultivation.
The dozen countries include Canada, Thailand, Germany and parts of the United States.
Yates said many of the UK’s two million stalkers mistakenly believe that legally grown cannabis is a better, stronger product and are willing to pay more for it.
“In fact, the THC content (potency) of UK and legally grown cannabis is relatively similar. Drug dealers think they’re better at peddling drugs in the UK.”
Chelsea Allingham, a 40-year-old Canadian, arrived at Heathrow Airport from Toronto in May with two suitcases packed with cannabis. When she reached the hotel bar, NCA officers approached her and arrested her in handcuffs.
Border Patrol agents discover the drugs, but force Allingham to retrieve her luggage from the baggage carousel, then follow her as she hands it over and sits down for a victory drink. She was sentenced to 10 months in prison.
James Babbage, head of the NCA’s Threats Bureau, said:
“We know that organised criminals can persuasively offer payment to couriers, but the risk of being caught is high and it is simply not worth the risk.”
“The NCA continues to work proactively with partners, including UK Border Force and law enforcement agencies around the world, to target those involved in criminal activities, including drug trafficking and the networks behind it.
One way of achieving this is by targeting smugglers, who play a vital role in the supply chain.”
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Seema Malhotra said: “Illegal drugs harm communities and provide prey for criminal gangs – we will not tolerate people trying to bring them into our country.
“Our border force officers are committed to detecting and seizing cannabis and other illegal drugs, and last year Border force officers seized a record amount of cannabis.
“Anyone caught bringing cannabis into the UK must face the full force of the law, and Border force officers will continue to work tirelessly, working with the NCA, to keep illegal drugs off our streets.”