Conviction at Isleworth Crown Court
Amy Jayne Durban, 45, of Hemyock, Devon, has pleaded guilty to smuggling Class B drugs after being intercepted by Border Force officers at Heathrow Airport. Durban was arrested on 6 July after arriving on a flight from Bangkok with two suitcases containing 51.2kg of cannabis, estimated to have a street value of at least £512,000.
Following her guilty plea at Isleworth Crown Court on 6 August, Durban remains in custody and is scheduled for sentencing on 14 October.
Surge in Air Passenger Couriers
The National Crime Agency (NCA) has highlighted a significant rise in the use of drug couriers by organised crime groups. These groups frequently target individuals on social media, offering 'free' holidays and spending money in exchange for transporting cannabis into the UK.
Official figures show a dramatic escalation in arrests: * 2023: 142 smugglers arrested * 2024: 801 smugglers arrested (a 464% increase) * 2025: 976 smugglers arrested * 2026: 600 arrests in the first six months alone
International Crackdown
In response to the trend, the NCA and Thai authorities have initiated a crackdown. Individuals caught attempting to export cannabis from Thailand now face substantial fines of approximately £680 per kg, with potential prison sentences of up to two years if fines remain unpaid.
NCA Senior Investigating Officer Mark Abbott warned: "People should understand that these crime groups use profits from cannabis smuggling to fund the trafficking of other drugs too. All of those drugs fuel wider crime in our communities."
The NCA has launched a social media campaign across TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube to warn of the risks. Further information on the dangers of drug trafficking can be found at www.druggage.co.uk.
Source: National Crime Agency
