Hounslow woman admits smuggling £512,000 of cannabis from Thailand

Amy Jayne Durban, 45, of Hemyock, Cullompton, admitted smuggling 51.2 kg of cannabis into the UK at Isleworth Crown Court on 6 August 2026. The drugs, concealed in two suitcases, were seized by Border Force officers at Heathrow Airport on 6 July after she arrived on a flight from Bangkok.

The National Crime Agency said the cannabis had an estimated street value of at least £512,000. Durban was remanded in custody following her guilty plea and will be sentenced on 14 October 2026.

Sharp rise in cannabis smuggling via UK airports

Durban’s arrest is part of a wider trend. The National Crime Agency reported that 801 cannabis smugglers were caught arriving in the UK by plane in 2024, a 464% increase from the 142 recorded in 2023. The figure rose further in 2025, reaching 976, and 600 arrests were made in the first half of 2026 alone.

The NCA said organised crime groups typically recruit couriers on social media, offering free holidays and spending money in exchange for transporting drugs. Once in the UK, the cannabis is taken from the courier and distributed by other criminals.

New penalties in Thailand for drug smugglers

Durban’s conviction follows a recent crackdown in Thailand, where authorities have introduced stricter penalties for cannabis smuggling. Offenders now face fines of around £680 per kilogram of cannabis seized. The NCA said the average smuggler is caught with 26 kg, resulting in a fine of £17,680. If the fine is not paid, offenders can be jailed for up to two years.

Mark Abbott, a senior investigating officer with the NCA, said the profits from cannabis smuggling are often used to fund the trafficking of other drugs. He added that these drugs contribute to wider crime in UK communities and harm lives.

The NCA has launched a social media campaign targeting young people, warning them about the risks of smuggling cannabis from Thailand. The campaign, running on TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube, directs viewers to Crimestoppers, where they can report approaches from crime gangs anonymously.

What happens next

Durban remains in custody and will be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on 14 October 2026. The court will consider the quantity of drugs involved and any mitigating factors before deciding her penalty. Sentencing guidelines for Class B drug importation can result in prison terms of up to 14 years.