International crackdown on cannabis smuggling
Source: gov.uk (2025-04-25)

UK-Thai cooperation results in 90% reduction in cannabis arriving in the post.

Cannabis arrivals by post from Thailand plummeted by 90% in the first three months of this year, thanks to a new partnership between UK Border Force and Thai customs.

Since Thailand decriminalised cannabis in 2022, there has been a dramatic increase in the amount of cannabis being sent to the UK by post.

In the last quarter of 2024, Border Force, with the support of Royal Mail, detected over 15 tonnes of the drug, which threatened to overwhelm resources.

However, after intense diplomatic engagement, UK Border Force and Thai customs established a new agreement, requiring parcels from Thailand to be checked before they are shipped.

Border Force have detected 1.5 tonnes of cannabis coming through the post in the first quarter of 2025 – a 90% reduction, which is a result of the extra checks taking place in Thailand.

The action is key to this government’s work to boost international cooperation and tighten border security as we deliver safer streets for working people through our Plan for Change.

Minister for Citizenship and Migration, Seema Malhotra said:

Our partnership with Thai customs has slashed cannabis smuggling in the post by 90% in just three months. This collaboration is delivering real results and it’s a prime example of how international cooperation is crucial to our Plan for Change, safer streets mission.

By stopping these drugs at source, we’re disrupting organised crime, protecting communities, and freeing Border Force to focus on other priorities. Together with our partners in Thailand, this government will continue to take tough action against those attempting to smuggle illegal drugs across our borders.

The Home Office and Border Force have also worked closely with Thailand to prevent drugs being smuggled by air passengers. In February, Border Force and the National Crime Agency took part in Operation Chaophraya, a Home Office-led operation at Bangkok Airport.

This resulted in over 2 tonnes of cannabis being surrendered from transiting passengers, with an estimated value of £6 million.

Since Operation Chaophraya began under this government in July 2024, over 50 British nationals have been arrested in Thailand for attempted cannabis smuggling, underlining the importance of upstream deterrence work.

To mark the new partnership, the UK hosted Director General of Thai Customs, Mr Theeraj Athanavanich, and his delegation at Heathrow Airport and a Border Force postal depot earlier this week.

Mr Athanavanich met with the Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra, and Director General for Border Force, Phil Douglas, where they discussed the success of the agreement and future collaboration.

Border Force Director General, Phil Douglas said:

Border Force works tirelessly to protect and strengthen our borders, by preventing the smuggling of cannabis and other illegal items into the UK. Our work doesn’t stop at the border - we work internationally with our partners to prevent illicit goods from even reaching the UK.

We are using advanced intelligence more than ever before and last year we made a record number of drug seizures, including the highest harm substances. Border Force remains fully committed to securing our borders and keeping our streets safe.

In parallel with its cooperation with the UK on cannabis, Thai customs have introduced stricter screening measures at the border. This has resulted in over 800 cannabis smugglers being intercepted between October 2024 and March 2025, with over 9 tonnes of cannabis seized.

Both the UK and Thailand are taking a zero-tolerance approach on criminal gangs who are exploiting vulnerable people to smuggle drugs across the UK border on their behalf. Individuals who are caught smuggling drugs will be arrested and face the full force of the law.

Alex Murray, NCA Director of threat leadership, said:

The NCA continues to work with partners at home and abroad to target high-risk routes, seize shipments of drugs and disrupt the OCGs involved, denying them profits.

We have been working well with the Thai authorities who are keen to intervene. Couriers should think very carefully about agreeing to smuggle cannabis. There are life-changing consequences. Crime groups can be very persuasive but the risk of getting caught is very high and simply not worth it.

Border Force is committed to delivering the government’s Plan for Change, Safer Streets mission by stopping illegal drugs from entering our country and destroying lives.

In the year ending March 2024, Border Force and the police seized over 119 tonnes of illegal drugs, with a street value of £3 billion, a 52% increase from the year prior, in the highest number of seizures on record.

Charlotte Prescott, Director of Customs and International Policy at Royal Mail said:

Collaboration between government agencies and postal bodies is essential. We have a very strong partnership with Border Force and are proud to work alongside our Border Force colleagues, assisting their work in identifying restricted and prohibited items, and helping to tackle this issue – this relationship has been recognised as one of the best internationally.