Eleven individuals involved in a drug trafficking operation were convicted following the seizure of more than 1,000 pounds (460 kilograms) of cannabis with an estimated street value of £14 million. The group was apprehended at Birmingham Airport on August 9, 2024, after Border Force officers became suspicious during their transit through Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.

Authorities discovered 22 suitcases, each containing approximately 40 kilograms (88 pounds) of vacuum-packed cannabis concealed beneath a layer of clothing. The weight of some bags was such that couriers incurred excess baggage fees at Bangkok airport to secure their transportation on the flight. In addition, officials found eight of the suitcases equipped with Apple AirTag tracking devices linked to a single Apple ID, aiding in coordination.

The suspects, described as a coordinated network of couriers, had initially traveled from Birmingham to Paris with large luggage before returning to the UK, where their activities drew scrutiny. The National Crime Agency (NCA) and Border Force collaborated to disrupt the operation and arrest all 11 participants upon arrival.

Four members—Carsten Kyei, 21, from Newham; Bradley Lloyd, 27, from Wythenshawe; Lewis Ross, 35, from Bolton; and Nathan Vitorino, 26, from Welwyn Garden City—were sentenced to prison terms ranging from two to four years at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday. Kyei and Vitorino were convicted following a three-week trial earlier this year, while Ross and Lloyd pled guilty during the proceedings. The remaining seven defendants, including Gideon Olumoyegun, 26, of Dagenham, and Claire McCullough, 36, from Wythenshawe, face sentencing next month.

All defendants were charged under section 3(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, accused of carrying cannabis with intent to evade prohibition. NCA senior investigating officer Paul Boniface commented that the sentences highlight the significant consequences for those involved in smuggling cannabis into the UK, cautioning that the risks often go unrecognized despite glamorization on social media. He credited Border Force with key assistance in intercepting the drugs and disrupting the criminal enterprise.

Statistics show a notable increase in cannabis smuggling attempts into the UK via air travel in recent years. In 2024, authorities apprehended 801 cannabis traffickers upon arrival by plane, marking a 464 percent rise compared to 2023. This number increased further to 976 in 2025 and is projected to continue climbing in 2026.

Adam Chatfield, head of Border Force Midlands Command, emphasized that the convictions serve as a clear deterrent, warning individuals against involvement in the illegal importation of cannabis into the country.