Cannabis seizures at UK airports soar to new highs with Thai gangs responsible
A record 430 suspects were arrested at Heathrow, the National Crime Agency reports
RECORD BUSTS Cannabis seizures at UK airports soar to new highs with Thai gangs responsible
CANNABIS seizures have soared to record highs at UK airports — as Thai smuggling gangs attempt to dominate the British market in the illegal drug.
The amount caught at Heathrow alone last year — 14.7 tons — was almost triple the 5.6 tons snared at all airports during 2023.
Advertisement
2
Alleged smuggler Charlotte May Lee was arrested in Sri Lanka on a flight from Thailand
Credit: Sri Lanka Police
Nearly 27 tons of cannabis were seized at British airports last year, 400 per cent up on the previous 12 months.
Some 750 people were caught by specialist cops, way up on the 134 nicked the year before.
Nearly two thirds were flying in from Thailand.
A record 430 suspects were arrested at Heathrow, the National Crime Agency said.
Advertisement
Next worst hotspots were Manchester with 135 arrests and 4.8 tons seized and Birmingham, where 40 people were arrested over 1.4 tons.
Thai gangs are thought to be trying to expand their stake in the British market by exploiting the Asian state's decriminalising of the drug in 2022.
Many Brits are now caught trying to re-enter the UK with drugs having been lured to Thailand by the promise of a free holiday, lavish gifts and posh accommodation.
In return, they must bring back suitcases stuffed with drugs.
Advertisement
A source said: 'It's so much easier to obtain cannabis in Thailand than anywhere else.
'There is a huge amount of demand in the UK, especially for kush, which is much stronger. That explains the massive surge in seizures.'
Charlotte May Lee fears being locked away for 20yrs over £1.2m Sri Lanka drugs bust – & is 'aware' of Bella Culley case
More than 50 British nationals have been caught acting as drug mules on flights out of Thailand since the start of 2024.
They include Charlotte May Lee, 21, held in Sri Lanka after flying from Thailand allegedly with £1.2million worth of kush.
Advertisement
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
9 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Sinn Fein minister urges BBC to ‘learn lessons' from Gerry Adams libel case
Stormont's Finance Minister John O'Dowd said he welcomed the outcome of the high-profile case. Former Sinn Fein leader Mr Adams took the BBC to court over a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme, and an accompanying online story, which he said defamed him by alleging he sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson, for which he denies any involvement. A jury at the High Court in Dublin awarded Mr Adams 100,000 euro (£84,000) when it found in his favour on Friday after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article. It also found the BBC's actions were not in good faith and the corporation had not acted in a fair and reasonable way. Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006, months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent over 20 years. Mr Adams' legal team said the verdict of the jury was a 'full vindication' for their client while the BBC said it was 'disappointed' with the outcome, warning it could have 'profound implications and potentially 'hinder freedom of expression'. Following the jury's decision, Mr Adams said his case had been about 'putting manners' on the BBC. The veteran republican claimed the corporation upheld the ethos of the British state in Ireland and was 'out of sync' on many fronts in relation to the Good Friday peace agreement. The National Union of Journalists has described those remarks as 'chilling'. Seamus Dooley, Irish secretary of the NUJ, also said the case showed the need for reform of Ireland's defamation laws. However, Mr O'Dowd said the BBC reaction to the case indicated it was 'unwilling to learn lessons'. 'I welcome the judgment,' he told BBC Radio Ulster. 'I think it's a timely reminder that everyone has the right to defend their name in court. Gerry has been successful in his case and I think the BBC have lessons to learn, and they should instead of the knee-jerk reaction that we've heard thus far from them, I think they should take a time of reflection and reflect on that court judgment.' The minister was asked if Mr Adams' claims about the BBC upholding the ethos of the British state and being out of sync with the Good Friday Agreement reflected Sinn Fein's position on the broadcaster. 'I think it's a position that many in society hold,' he replied. 'There are many, many fine journalists from the BBC – there's no question about that. But I think the upper echelons of the BBC in the north and the reaction to the court judgment shows that they're unwilling to learn lessons. 'They're unwilling to reflect on their own role and responsibility. So, I think … this is a time for the BBC to reflect, and the upper echelons of the BBC to reflect, rather than some of the knee-jerk reactions we've seen from them thus far.'
Powys County Times
21 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Sinn Fein minister urges BBC to ‘learn lessons' from Gerry Adams libel case
Stormont's Finance Minister John O'Dowd said he welcomed the outcome of the high-profile case. Former Sinn Fein leader Mr Adams took the BBC to court over a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme, and an accompanying online story, which he said defamed him by alleging he sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson, for which he denies any involvement. A jury at the High Court in Dublin awarded Mr Adams 100,000 euro (£84,000) when it found in his favour on Friday after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article. It also found the BBC's actions were not in good faith and the corporation had not acted in a fair and reasonable way. Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006, months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent over 20 years. Mr Adams' legal team said the verdict of the jury was a 'full vindication' for their client while the BBC said it was 'disappointed' with the outcome, warning it could have 'profound implications and potentially 'hinder freedom of expression'. Following the jury's decision, Mr Adams said his case had been about 'putting manners' on the BBC. The veteran republican claimed the corporation upheld the ethos of the British state in Ireland and was 'out of sync' on many fronts in relation to the Good Friday peace agreement. The National Union of Journalists has described those remarks as 'chilling'. Seamus Dooley, Irish secretary of the NUJ, also said the case showed the need for reform of Ireland's defamation laws. However, Mr O'Dowd said the BBC reaction to the case indicated it was 'unwilling to learn lessons'. 'I welcome the judgment,' he told BBC Radio Ulster. 'I think it's a timely reminder that everyone has the right to defend their name in court. Gerry has been successful in his case and I think the BBC have lessons to learn, and they should instead of the knee-jerk reaction that we've heard thus far from them, I think they should take a time of reflection and reflect on that court judgment.' The minister was asked if Mr Adams' claims about the BBC upholding the ethos of the British state and being out of sync with the Good Friday Agreement reflected Sinn Fein's position on the broadcaster. 'I think it's a position that many in society hold,' he replied. 'There are many, many fine journalists from the BBC – there's no question about that. But I think the upper echelons of the BBC in the north and the reaction to the court judgment shows that they're unwilling to learn lessons. 'They're unwilling to reflect on their own role and responsibility. So, I think … this is a time for the BBC to reflect, and the upper echelons of the BBC to reflect, rather than some of the knee-jerk reactions we've seen from them thus far.'
The Independent
25 minutes ago
- The Independent
BBC told to ‘learn lessons' from Gerry Adams libel loss
Gerry Adams won a libel case against the BBC over a 2016 Spotlight programme that alleged he sanctioned the killing of Denis Donaldson. A jury in Dublin awarded Adams 100,000 euro (£84,000), finding the BBC 's actions were not in good faith and were unfair. Adams stated the case was about "putting manners" on the BBC, claiming the corporation upheld the ethos of the British state in Ireland. The BBC expressed disappointment with the outcome, warning it could hinder freedom of expression. Sinn Fein minister John O'Dowd welcomed the judgment and urged BBC management to reflect on the outcome and avoid knee-jerk reactions.
