Drug mules flooding region face tougher penalties
Summary
The UK and Thailand are working together to stop a big increase in cannabis smuggling from Thailand to the UK. New strict penalties in Thailand include fines and possible jail time for anyone caught trying to fly cannabis out of the country.Key Facts
- There has been a sharp rise in cannabis smuggling from Thailand to the UK, especially to northern England.
- The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) is cooperating with Thai authorities and the UK Home Office to fight this problem.
- Anyone caught carrying cannabis out of Thailand must pay a fine of about £68 per kilogram to Thai Customs.
- If the fine is not paid, the person faces up to two years in jail in Thailand.
- In the first half of 2026, 600 drug couriers were caught at UK airports.
- The average smuggler carries about 26 kg (57 pounds) of cannabis.
- In 2024, UK Border Force seized over 167,000 kg of cannabis, worth an estimated £2 billion.
- The UK Foreign Office has updated travel advice for Thailand to warn about the new penalties for smuggling.
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