Free holidays for Brits ‘high-jacked’ into Thai drug courier scheme

[snoop1130]

 

In a shocking twist on the idyllic Thai getaway, British citizens have reportedly been exploited as unwitting drug couriers, smuggling cannabis from Thailand back to the UK under the guise of a free holiday. British authorities have now called on Thai police to clamp down on this burgeoning drug mule scheme.

 

According to Police Lieutenant General Phanurat Lukboon, secretary-general of Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), the illicit operation was revealed following a visit from British ambassador Mark Gooding and officials from the UK’s National Crime Agency. The visiting delegation urged Thai authorities to aid in stopping the flow of cannabis into Britain.

 

Despite the allure of sun-soaked beaches, willing Brits are being targeted through the Telegram chat app, lured by offers of free tours, accommodation, and even pocket money. The catch? Smuggling cannabis back to British shores.

 

Lt. Gen. Phanurat noted a stark rise in cannabis interceptions this year, with British authorities discovering hundreds of kilograms of the drug smuggled from Thailand.

 

“These Britons aren’t being duped, they’re being tempted.”

 

The ONCB has wasted no time initiating an investigation, with recent busts uncovering a parcel concealing 210 grams of ecstasy precursor, falsely declared as a dietary supplement. The package, sent from the UK, was intended for a British and Dutch national residing in Bangkok.

 

Raids on these foreign nationals’ rented properties revealed 36kg of cannabis in sealed packages, packaging equipment, and 1.4kg of potent cannabis resin. ONCB’s law enforcement director, Prin Mekanandha, indicated that the pair, in Thailand as tourists for about four months, were major players in sourcing cannabis for illicit export to the UK.

 

Bangkok Post reported that narcotics police discovered slips indicating mailed parcels falsely declared as containing pillows, further exposing the smuggling operation. Cannabis products were being dispatched via parcel to Britain while others were handed to a network of couriers recruited through Telegram.

 

These recruits, needing no visas for UK entry, concealed the cannabis in their luggage, unwittingly contributing to Britain’s burgeoning cannabis problem. The ONCB, in collaboration with British authorities, remains vigilant in dismantling this audacious scheme.

 

By Bob Scott

Picture courtesy of Travel and Leisure

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2024-11-06

 

 

[BritManToo]

Legalise cannabis and end the problem!

[RJRS1301]

No such thing as a free holiday, how stupid can people be?

[terryofcrete]

Should have thought of this when legalising cannabis  in Thailand 

[Scouse123]

1 hour ago, RJRS1301 said:

No such thing as a free holiday, how stupid can people be?

 

Not stupid,...................................... just dopey...!😳

 

 

 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by Scouse123

[Scouse123]

10 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Legalise cannabis and end the problem!

 

Then they'll be wanting to legalize other substances, and so it goes on!

[Scouse123]

46 minutes ago, terryofcrete said:

Should have thought of this when legalising cannabis  in Thailand 

 

 

It's not as though there isn't a plentiful supply of the stuff in the UK, there are cannabis farms in nearly every abandoned house and farms in the North of England.

 

It's rife.

[kuzmabruk]

57 minutes ago, terryofcrete said:

Should have thought of this when legalising cannabis  in Thailand 

Why?   Thailand’s society is not responsible for the UK’s society.  To each his own.  That’s what border patrol is for.  

[kingstonkid]

1 hour ago, RJRS1301 said:

No such thing as a free holiday, how stupid can people be?

Who says they're stupid.  Drug mules.have been around a long time.  They usually get the trip and  paid.  Same crap with tobacco products 

[hotchilli]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Despite the allure of sun-soaked beaches, willing Brits are being targeted through the Telegram chat app, lured by offers of free tours, accommodation, and even pocket money. The catch? Smuggling cannabis back to British shores

I'm sure a few desperate out of work idiots will take the chance