A mother from Worcestershire has been convicted for her part in an operation that attempted to bring 460kg of cannabis from Thailand into Britain in 22 suitcases. Paige Crisp, 24, of Malvern, was among a group stopped by Border Force at Birmingham Airport on August 9, 2024, after travelling from Thailand via France. The cannabis, a Class B drug in the UK, was valued at GBP13.8 million. Suitcases carried 20kg each The group had flown from Birmingham to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris before continuing to Thailand. National Crime Agency officers became suspicious after four members travelled from Birmingham with two large suitcases each. On the return journey, each gang member had two large cases, each containing over 20kg of cannabis. The luggage was so heavy that the group paid excess baggage charges at Bangkok Airport to place it in the aircraft hold. Investigators found a thin layer of clothing placed over vacuum-packed cannabis in the bags. Eight Apple AirTag trackers, all linked to the same Apple ID, were also recovered. Three due to be sentenced in October Crisp was convicted on August 19 of attempting to carry, remove, deposit, harbour, keep, conceal and deal with Class B drugs with intent to evade prohibition on importing. Gideon Olumoyegun with suitcases prior to return flight She was one of the final three members of the group to be convicted at Birmingham Crown Court. Crisp appeared alongside Tasia Nelson, 22, of Newquay, Cornwall, and Jaden Ramen, 23, of Merton, London. The three are due to be sentenced on October 22. Carsten Kyei, 21, of Plaistow, London, and Nathan Vitorino, 26, of Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, were found guilty after a three-week trial on May 26. Bradley Lloyd, 27, of Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester, and Lewis Ross, 35, of Bolton, Lancashire, changed their pleas to guilty during that trial. Claire McCullough, 36, of Wythenshawe; Ryan Boachie, 32, of Edmonton; Gideon Oluwasetemi Olumoyegun, 26, of Dagenham; and Jamal Clarke, 22, of Mile End, had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing. Lewis Ross in conversation with Lloyd at Birmingham Airport Kyei, Vitorino, Boachie, Olumoyegun, Ross, Lloyd and McCullough are to be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on September 3. Agencies warn prospective couriers NCA senior investigating officer Paul Boniface said the operation involved extensive planning and co-ordination of flights and luggage. He thanked Border Force for stopping the drugs and warned anyone approached to smuggle drugs that they would face justice. Adam Chatfield, head of Border Force Midlands Command, said the convictions should be a "stark warning" and that those involved now faced serious criminal records affecting job prospects and life chances. Pictures courtesy of Daily Mall Join the discussion? 22 August 2026
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