The United Kingdom has warned young travellers against accepting offers of free holidays, luxury trips or other incentives from criminal gangs seeking to recruit them as drug couriers.
In a statement issued by the UK Home Office through Border Force ahead of the summer travel season, authorities said organised crime groups are increasingly targeting school leavers, university graduates and first-time travellers through social media to smuggle cannabis into the country.
According to the Home Office, cannabis smuggling through UK airports has risen sharply, with the number of couriers intercepted increasing from 142 in 2023 to 976 in 2025.
In the first half of 2026 alone, 600 air passengers were arrested, with men aged 18 to 37 arriving from Thailand accounting for the largest group.
Border Force said criminal gangs lure victims with promises of free luxury holidays, business-class flights and spending money before persuading them to transport cannabis into the UK.
Travellers were advised to reject such offers, especially to destinations where cannabis is legal, including Thailand, Canada and parts of the United States.
The agency also urged travellers to pack their own luggage, avoid carrying bags for others, ignore suspicious approaches on social media and keep their passports and travel documents secure.
It stressed that importing cannabis into the UK remains a serious criminal offence regardless of whether the drug is legal in the country of departure.
Border Force Lead Officer for Safeguarding, Kate Goldstone, said organised crime groups profit while leaving young couriers to face severe legal consequences.
She warned that anyone convicted of cannabis smuggling could face up to 14 years in prison, a criminal record and long-term restrictions on international travel, employment and education.
The warning comes as the UK and Thailand intensify joint efforts to combat cannabis smuggling, with British nationals caught attempting to traffic cannabis from Thailand facing substantial fines and possible prison sentences.
Border Force urged anyone approached to transport illegal drugs to report the matter to local authorities, consular officials or Crimestoppers.
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