Picture courtesy of SOLARPIX

 

Holiday plans for a British couple quickly unravelled at Valencia Airport after Spanish police discovered over 33 kilogrammes of cannabis secreted in their luggage. The couple, who had asserted they were tourists arriving from Thailand via France, were apprehended when their jittery behaviour aroused suspicion among customs officials.

 

Alerted by the pair's nervous disposition and peculiar travel declaration of "nothing to declare," officers decided to inspect their belongings. Their luggage, far from containing typical holiday essentials like flip flops or sun cream, was found bulging with vacuum-packed cannabis, weighing over 33.5kg. The suitcases contained no clothing or personal items, only a substantial haul of illicit substances.

 

A statement from the Spanish Civil Guard confirmed the incident: “The Civil Guard and Tax Agency have arrested two individuals on a flight from France for carrying more than 33 kilogrammes of vacuum-packed marijuana. The two passengers, a British man and woman, exhibited a nervous and evasive attitude and were intercepted before they reached customs control. The substance found tested positive for cannabis.”

 

The apprehension of the couple at Valencia Airport highlights a troubling trend of British nationals, particularly young women, becoming increasingly involved in drug smuggling operations across international borders. This case further underlines the growing complexities and risks associated with international travel and illicit activities.

 

Following their arrest, the couple was remanded in custody, pending trial on charges of drug trafficking. Their attempt to transport a significant quantity of cannabis into Spain serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of engaging in illegal drug trade activities. Authorities continue to stress the importance of vigilance and compliance with international laws to prevent similar incidents in the future.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-27

 

 

More idiots. When finally back in Blighty, cancel their passports for 10 years on the grounds of stupidity 

22 minutes ago, bannork said:

More idiots. When finally back in Blighty, cancel their passports for 10 years on the grounds of stupidity 

 

They will be spending a few years in Spain first. 

I don't understand this. Spain is a supermarket for drugs. Cannabis is practically decriminalised. 

Maybe their moronic masterplan was to then go to the UK?

Again, easily bought as there are more sellers than buyers of home grow at approx £250/ounce?

Do the crime Do the time 

17 hours ago, JackSinclair said:

I don't understand this. Spain is a supermarket for drugs. Cannabis is practically decriminalised. 

Drug trafficking is still illegal.

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Holiday plans for a British couple quickly unravelled at Valencia Airport after Spanish police discovered over 33 kilogrammes of cannabis secreted in their luggage.

Some people never learn..

How is this volume not spotted on leaving Thailand ?

 

Happening too many times now. 

 

It's been clearly obvious now there is an element from the UK that is importing huge quantities back. 

20 hours ago, JackSinclair said:

I don't understand this. Spain is a supermarket for drugs. Cannabis is practically decriminalised. 

Maybe their moronic masterplan was to then go to the UK?

Again, easily bought as there are more sellers than buyers of home grow at approx £250/ounce?

Sounds about right to me.

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Some people never learn..

And some people only learn a lesson the hard way.

Risking so much on weed!  

 

What's the problem with growing it back in Britain?  

30 minutes ago, NedR69 said:

Risking so much on weed!  

 

What's the problem with growing it back in Britain?  

 

Too much like work.

 

2 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

How is this volume not spotted on leaving Thailand ?

 

Happening too many times now. 

 

It's been clearly obvious now there is an element from the UK that is importing huge quantities back. 

I have also thought about this as surely the exit scanners are the same as the entry scanners.

I'm guessing that if it is spotted in Thailand, there is a tip off to customs at the destination airport in the hope that bigger fish can be caught if the smugglers give up names or addresses in the chain.

59 minutes ago, WHansen said:

I have also thought about this as surely the exit scanners are the same as the entry scanners.

I'm guessing that if it is spotted in Thailand, there is a tip off to customs at the destination airport in the hope that bigger fish can be caught if the smugglers give up names or addresses in the chain.

But these guys came to Valencia from Thailand via France and nothing was detected in France ? 

24 minutes ago, terryofcrete said:

But these guys came to Valencia from Thailand via France and nothing was detected in France ? 

 

I can see where they wouldn't scrutinize transit luggage.  Especially if it's going straight through and not claimed and rechecked.  But that's a guess on my part.

 

7 hours ago, JJ-Thailand said:

Drug trafficking is still illegal.

The point is that it's stupid to smuggle Cannabis to Spain where it is as easy and cheap to buy as in Thailand (and maybe cheaper).

What a bunch of morons! 

53 minutes ago, terryofcrete said:

But these guys came to Valencia from Thailand via France and nothing was detected in France ? 

How di you KNOW that nothing was detected in France? 

 

Perhaps the French customs and law enforcement were tipped off and they didn't want the hassle of dealing with the problem either.

2 hours ago, WHansen said:

I have also thought about this as surely the exit scanners are the same as the entry scanners.

I'm guessing that if it is spotted in Thailand, there is a tip off to customs at the destination airport in the hope that bigger fish can be caught if the smugglers give up names or addresses in the chain.

 

 

Or maybe turning a blind eye, as it's not their problem if they're buying it and taking it out of the country. 

42 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

I can see where they wouldn't scrutinize transit luggage.  Especially if it's going straight through and not claimed and rechecked.  But that's a guess on my part.

 

 

Yes but the quanity is so massive that it would clearly show on a machine. 

51 minutes ago, impulse said:

I can see where they wouldn't scrutinize transit luggage.  Especially if it's going straight through and not claimed and rechecked.  But that's a guess on my part.

 

This guy got done at a transit stop so it is possible.  Could be the lazy French didn't want the hassle and let the Spanish deal with it.

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1362061-british-man-nabbed-smuggling-cannabis-from-bangkok-to-newcastle/

 

How does one secrete 33 kgm of cannabis in a suitcase ?

1 hour ago, treetops said:

This guy got done at a transit stop so it is possible.  Could be the lazy French didn't want the hassle and let the Spanish deal with it.

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1362061-british-man-nabbed-smuggling-cannabis-from-bangkok-to-newcastle/

 

Some transit points will make you collect and recheck your bags.  Especially if it's a long (or overnight) layover or a change on airlines.  Some will pass them through and you never have to touch them. 

 

I'm just curious why they got nailed in Spain, but not in France.   That would be interesting information in this case, but I doubt they want to clue in any copycats that may want to try it on. 

 

Why are all these stories about Brits?

No German,  French, Norwegian mules,

Is it the selection of news by AN?

Or is there something special about Brits?

28 minutes ago, Lorry said:

Or is there something special about Brits?

It's all because of Brexit. Because you can blame everything bad on it. 😍

Many reasons why drugs don't get detected in transit, not least depending on the length of transit. Likewise scanning on departure prior to check in is a great way to bring the whole system to it's knees, this used to happen years ago prior to check in looking for explosives, with todays traffic volume it would be a nightmare. Scanning after check in ?  So if you identify a bag you then have to identify it's owner and make sure they don't board the flight. Try doing that at an airport like Swampy. Won't be long before one of these muppets gets caught at Singapore, mandatory death sentence for 500g of cannabis, they executed a guy this week for 300g of methamphetamine. Maybe publicity like that might make even the dimmest think twice.

46 minutes ago, roamer said:

Many reasons why drugs don't get detected in transit, not least depending on the length of transit. Likewise scanning on departure prior to check in is a great way to bring the whole system to it's knees, this used to happen years ago prior to check in looking for explosives, with todays traffic volume it would be a nightmare. Scanning after check in ?  So if you identify a bag you then have to identify it's owner and make sure they don't board the flight. Try doing that at an airport like Swampy. Won't be long before one of these muppets gets caught at Singapore, mandatory death sentence for 500g of cannabis, they executed a guy this week for 300g of methamphetamine. Maybe publicity like that might make even the dimmest think twice.

Checked luggage are always scanned at check in, before they are sent to the conveyor belt.

Not sure they are particularly looking for drug thought.

What a pair of numpties. Perhaps they were patsies for the next guy that had 34kgs. 

13 hours ago, Lorry said:

Why are all these stories about Brits?

No German,  French, Norwegian mules,

Is it the selection of news by AN?

Or is there something special about Brits?

Oh Yes ! There is ! Lol

10 hours ago, candide said:

Checked luggage are always scanned at check in, before they are sent to the conveyor belt.

Not sure they are particularly looking for drug thought.

In theory, and also in practice in the US for example. The fact that this does not happen in Thailand on an effective basis can be seen in the pictures of suitcases totally filled with blocks of cannabis being intercepted at foreign airports.

3 minutes ago, roamer said:

In theory, and also in practice in the US for example. The fact that this does not happen in Thailand on an effective basis can be seen in the pictures of suitcases totally filled with blocks of cannabis being intercepted at foreign airports.

Every time I check in at Suvarnabhumi airport, they scan my luggage before sending it to the conveyor belt. I guess they are more looking for dangerous items, and also that X-rays are not efficient for detecting drugs, as they are more or less transparent to them. It may be the same for explosives as they need to do a special test to detect them in airports. Actually, drugs are probably only well detected by dogs.