From Crisis to Control: UK's Major Win Against Thai Cannabis Smuggling

In a remarkable turnaround, the UK has reported a staggering 90% drop in cannabis shipments from Thailand, attributed to enhanced collaboration with Thai Customs. This significant reduction comes on the heels of a sharp increase in illegal mail-order cannabis following Thailand’s legalization of the drug in 2022. Initially, the UK Border Force was overwhelmed, seizing 15 tonnes of cannabis in late 2023, but just three months later, due to a new package inspection agreement, the seizures have plummeted to 1.5 tonnes.

Border Minister Seema Malhotra praised this development as a prime example of international cooperation aimed at fostering safer streets. She emphasized the importance of intercepting drugs at their source to disrupt organized crime and protect communities while allowing Border Force to allocate resources to other pressing matters.

Thai Customs have stepped up their game, implementing stricter screening processes that have reportedly led to over 800 cannabis smugglers being intercepted between October 2024 and March 2025. Concurrently, more than nine tonnes of cannabis were confiscated by Thai authorities during this period. Reflecting on previous years, 2023 marked a record high for illegal drug seizures in the UK, with 119 tonnes of drugs confiscated, amounting to a street value of around £3 billion, signifying a 52% increase, as reported by the Metropolitan Police.

In a separate operation, UK authorities intercepted £6 million worth of cannabis from passengers at Bangkok Airport, a joint initiative involving Border Force and the National Crime Agency (NCA). Since the inception of Operation Chaophraya in July 2024, over 50 British nationals have faced arrest in Thailand for their attempts at smuggling cannabis.

Phil Douglas, Director General of Border Force, reiterated their commitment to securing borders through international partnerships and advanced intelligence efforts. Last year, they achieved record levels of drug seizures, including high-harm substances, underlining their ongoing efforts to safeguard the UK from illicit goods.