9 Americans arrested for smuggling cannabis into the UK

The UK’s National Crime Agency said on Tuesday that nine Americans had been arrested in a week for attempting to smuggle cannabis into the island nation. Law enforcement is now investigating whether there is a link between the failed attempts to illegally import marijuana into the UK from California

The National Crime Agency (NCA) found that nine people, all United States nationals, have been arrested since last week attempting to transport cannabis from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to London’s Heathrow Airport. All those arrested were accused of carrying between 30 and 50 kilograms (about 56 to 110 pounds) of cannabis in their checked luggage.

“We are working to understand how these seizures are related, but diverting so many from the same route in such a short period of time is clearly very unusual,” NCA chief investigating officer Darren Barr said in an agency statement.

Courtesy of the National Crime Agency

9 pot fits in one week

The first seizure came on Tuesday January 10, when a passenger arriving from LAX at Heathrow was arrested after Border Force found around 30 kilos of cannabis in the passenger’s luggage. Another seizure followed three days later on Friday, followed by two more bans on Saturday. Cannabis from LAX was seized four more times at Heathrow on Sunday, while the latest smuggling attempt to be foiled took place on Monday 16 January.

In all, about 340 kilograms (nearly 750 pounds) of marijuana was seized in the nine seizures at Heathrow during the week. All nine American nationals arrested were charged with attempting to import Class B drugs into the country and are being held in custody pending court appearances.

Officials estimated the street value of the “herbal cannabis” at more than £5.5 million, or about $6.8 million, although law enforcement agencies have been known to overestimate the value of seized drugs.

The NCA official warned that suspects in the smuggling cases face hefty penalties if found guilty. Convictions for bringing class B drugs into the UK are punishable by unlimited fines and up to 14 years’ imprisonment.

“Drug mules face severe penalties, so I urge anyone considering engaging in such ventures to think very carefully about the consequences,” Barr noted. “Together with partners like Border Force, we are determined to do everything in our power to dismantle the organized crime groups involved in the international drug trade.”

Border Force chief operating officer Steve Dann commended the work of customs officials for their role in preventing the seized cannabis from entering the country.

“Drugs are fueling violence and chaos in the streets and causing suffering in communities across the UK. Thanks to the work of Border Force, these dangerous drugs have been prevented from reaching the streets of Britain and causing significant damage to our neighborhoods,” Dann said. “This seizure demonstrates the successful joint partnership between Border Force and the NCA, and our shared commitment to keeping our communities safe and disrupting the illicit drug trade.”

Courtesy of the National Crime Agency

UK cannabis policy is discussed

The marijuana seizures at Heathrow Airport come as government officials hold a renewed debate on UK cannabis policy. Last July, then Home Secretary Priti Patel announced proposed new sanctions against users of cannabis and other drugs, including confiscation of drivers’ licenses and passports, under a new three-strikes policy on illicit drug use.

“Drugs are a scourge of society. They destroy lives and tear communities apart,” Patel said in a government statement. “Substance abuse endangers life, fuels crime and serious and violent crime, and also leads to the grotesque exploitation of young, vulnerable people.”

Under the proposal, detailed in a white paper prepared by the Home Office, those caught using illegal recreational drugs would face fines and mandatory drug education. They could also be banned from nightclubs and other entertainment venues.

Three months later, UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman announced that she was considering tightening the classification of cannabis under the country’s drug laws over concerns that marijuana was a gateway drug and could lead to serious health problems. Braverman’s review followed calls from law enforcement agencies to reclassify cannabis as a Class A drug, the same category assigned to substances such as heroin, cocaine and ecstasy.

But last month a group of police chiefs in the UK announced a plan to effectively decriminalize possession of drugs, including cannabis and cocaine. If adopted by the government, use and possession of small quantities of recreational drugs would be treated as a public health issue for first-time offenders, rather than a criminal offense punishable by criminal penalties and prison or other penalties.

The proposals, developed by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the College of Policing, would effectively decriminalize possession of Class A drugs including cocaine and Class B substances such as marijuana. Under the plan, people caught with illegal drugs would be offered the opportunity to participate in drug education or treatment programs instead of being prosecuted.