POTENTIAL drug smugglers are being warned after a series of cannabis seizures were made from passengers flying into Birmingham International Airport.
Nine people have been arrested at the airport in the last two weeks, all carrying between 15 and 40 kilos of the drug in suitcases.
In total around 260 kilos have now been seized by Border Force, worth an estimated £750,000.
Five of the passengers had flown in on routes from Thailand, four had started their journeys in the United States.
All nine have been arrested on suspicion of smuggling class B drugs, questioned by the NCA and bailed pending further enquiries.
National Crime Agency (NCA) investigators are now looking into each seizure, and looking at whether any of the cases might be linked.
NCA branch commander Mick Pope said: “Following this unusual amount of seizures in such a short space of time, law enforcement will undoubtedly be paying more attention to passengers coming into Birmingham on certain routes and stepping up checks.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- This is why Worcester Bridge was closed last night
- 'Risk of life' warning as flooding affects village near Worcester and rivers rise
- The 'hidden' Worcestershire Royal Hospital car park which could help alleviate issues
“We are continuing to investigate the circumstances of each, but I want to make a direct appeal to anyone considering getting involved in transporting drugs to the UK. Think very carefully about the consequences of getting caught.
“In some of these cases passenger journeys have started in locations where cannabis may be legal, but that won’t make a difference when you arrive in the UK.
“Organised criminal gangs rely on couriers to bring illicit substances into the UK, their business models rely on it. Consequently those playing such a role face stiff jail sentences. It simply isn’t worth the risk.”
The following was seized on these dates:
November 29 - 33kg of cannabis seized from hold luggage of male UK national from Birmingham, passenger arriving from New York .
November 29 - 30kg of cannabis seized from two suitcases of male UK national from Wirral area, arriving from Bangkok via Paris – pictures attached.
December 4 – 40kg cannabis seized from suitcases of male UK national residing in Thailand, arriving from Bangkok via Paris.
December 5 – 24kg cannabis in suitcase of male UK national from Birmingham, arriving from Bangkok via Paris – pictures attached.
December 6 – 30kg cannabis in two suitcases of male UK national residing in Thailand, arriving from Bangkok via Paris.
December 7 – 30kg cannabis in suitcase of male UK national residing in Thailand, arriving from Bangkok via Paris.
December 9 – 38kg cannabis detected in suitcases of male UK national from Blackburn area arriving from New York via Paris.
December 9 – 19kg with above, a female UK National from Blackburn area arriving from New York via Paris.
December 10 – 16kg detected in suitcase of female UK national from Blackburn arriving from New York via Paris.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel