UK claims 90% drop in mail-order hashish from Thailand

The quantity of hashish posted to the UK from Thailand has dropped by 90% in three months because of cooperation with Thai Customs, the Residence Workplace has mentioned.

When Thailand decriminalised hashish in 2022, a surge of unlawful shipments threatened to overwhelm UK Border Pressure – which uncovered 15 tonnes of the drug within the submit within the closing quarter of final 12 months.

However a brand new deal requiring parcels from Thailand to be checked earlier than they’re shipped meant simply three months later the determine had dropped to 1.5 tonnes.

Border Minister Seema Malhotra hailed the deal as a “prime instance” of worldwide cooperation serving to Labour’s mission for “safer streets”.

Malhotra mentioned: “By stopping these medication at supply, we’re disrupting organised crime, defending communities, and releasing Border Pressure to concentrate on different priorities.

“Along with our companions in Thailand, this authorities will proceed to take powerful motion towards these making an attempt to smuggle unlawful medication throughout our borders.”

Thai Customs have launched stricter screening measures on the border which has led to over 800 hashish smugglers being intercepted between October 2024 and March 2025, the Residence Workplace mentioned.

Greater than 9 tonnes of hashish have been seized by Thai authorities over the identical interval.

Final 12 months noticed a document variety of unlawful drug seizures within the UK, with Border Pressure and police uncovering 119 tonnes, with a road worth of £3bn, within the 12 months to March 2024 – an annual improve of 52%, in response to the Metropolitan Police mentioned.

Individually, the Residence workplace intercepted £6m of hashish from passengers at Bangkok Airport in a joint operation that noticed Border Pressure and the Nationwide Crime Company (NCA) officers stationed in Thailand.

Since Operation Chaophraya started in July 2024, over 50 British nationals have been arrested in Thailand for tried hashish smuggling.

Border Pressure Director Basic Phil Douglas mentioned: “Our work does not cease on the border, we work internationally with our companions to stop illicit items from even reaching the UK.

“We’re utilizing superior intelligence greater than ever earlier than and final 12 months we made a document variety of drug seizures, together with the very best hurt substances.

“Border Pressure stays totally dedicated to securing our borders and holding our streets secure.”