The National Crime Agency (NCA) has issued a warning to young people heading to Thailand, as the number of cannabis smugglers caught arriving in the UK by plane has sharply increased.
In 2024, 801 cannabis smugglers were caught arriving in the UK by air – a 464% increase from 2023. That figure rose to 976 in 2025, and is on track to rise again in 2026, with 600 air passenger couriers arrested between January and June.
New social media campaign
The NCA has launched a new social media campaign warning that smuggling cannabis from Thailand could land young people in a foreign jail.
The agency said: "In exchange for taking cannabis to the UK, criminal gangs are offering young people a taste of the influencer lifestyle through promises of free holidays and cash."
But it warned the reality is very different, noting that Thailand recently announced a new fines regime for anyone caught trying to smuggle cannabis out of the country: a fine of 30,000 Baht (around £680) per kilo, or prosecution and up to two years in prison.
Sharp rise in couriers
The average smuggler caught in Thailand carries 26 kilos of cannabis, equating to a fine of £17,680. Since the regime began, 95 smugglers have been caught – 62 of whom were heading for the UK.
The NCA's campaign features films aimed at persuading would-be drug mules not to take the chance. The films will run across TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube, directing viewers to Crimestoppers, where they can learn about the dangers of carrying drugs for crime gangs and how to report it anonymously if approached.
Consequences highlighted
Beki Wright, borders threat lead at the NCA, said: "Criminal gangs are targeting social media users with the promise of a free holiday and easy money."
"What they don't tell you is that if you're caught, you'll be left to face the consequences alone, while they walk away. You could be arrested and detained, facing a huge fine or jail abroad, followed by prosecution back in the UK and a criminal record that could follow you for the rest of your life."
"The influencers you see on social media promoting this lifestyle aren't showing you what happens next. We want people to see the full picture. It's not a shortcut to the good life, it's a route to a prison cell."
