British men in Cardiff court over Thailand drug claims

Three Cardiff men have appeared before magistrates accused of using teenage boys as drug couriers on a route involving Thailand, after two 17-year-olds were arrested there in June.

Cardiff Magistrates' Court heard on Friday 7 August 2026, that the teenagers, both from Cardiff, were allegedly found with 64kg (141lb) of cannabis concealed in their suitcases as they attempted to return to the UK. They remain in police custody in Thailand and are being supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Alleged UK-Thailand criminal network

Prosecutor Nicholas Evans said an investigation into an "organised criminal network" operating between the UK and Thailand had led to the arrests of the men earlier this week.

Levi Coomansingh, Patrick O'Driscoll and Gareth Press are charged with drug offences and with conspiring to arrange the travel of another with a view to exploitation. They were not asked to enter pleas when they appeared together in court.

All three are charged with conspiring to fraudulently evade a prohibition on the importation of a Class B drug.

Coomansingh, 20, of Angelina Street, Cardiff, faces four counts of conspiring to arrange the travel of another with a view to exploitation.

O'Driscoll, 30, of Clos Y Rhiw, Cardiff, faces four counts of the same charge, as well as possession of a firearm.

Press, 42, of Wheatley Road, Cardiff, faces two counts of conspiring to arrange the travel of another with a view to exploitation.

Four more people charged

Ffion Bowes-Cavanagh Hooley, 24, also of Clos Y Rhiw, Cardiff, appeared in court charged with conspiring to fraudulently evade a prohibition on the importation of a Class B drug.

Coomansingh, O'Driscoll and Press were remanded in custody. Bowes-Cavanagh Hooley was released on conditional bail. All four are due to appear at Cardiff Crown Court on 4 September.

Police announced on Friday evening that a further man and woman, both aged 28, had also been charged in connection with the investigation.

Tremaine Jeanne, from Llanrumney, Cardiff, and Jessica Sani, from Newport, are each charged with conspiring to fraudulently evade a prohibition on the importation of a Class B drug. Each also faces four counts of conspiring to arrange or facilitate another person's travel with a view to exploitation.

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9 August 2026