Charges Following £13.8 Million Cannabis Seizure at Birmingham Airport
Eleven individuals aged between 21 and 35 have been charged following a National Crime Agency investigation into the discovery of over half a tonne of cannabis at Birmingham Airport. The operation took place in August 2024, when Border Force officers uncovered the drugs hidden in 22 suitcases.
All passengers had flown from Thailand, stopping en route at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. The total weight of the seized cannabis reached 510 kilograms, with an estimated UK street value of £13.8 million.
Court Proceedings
Nine defendants appeared before Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 31 October 2025. They were released on bail pending their next hearing at Birmingham Crown Court scheduled for 28 November 2025. One defendant, Clare McCullogh, had her case deferred to 5 December 2025, while Bradley Lloyd did not attend court, prompting magistrates to issue a warrant for his arrest.
Further Investigations
Six additional men suspected of organising the smuggling attempt remain under investigation. Five of them were detained on 23 October 2024 at locations in Marsh Farm, Luton, and Finchley in north London.
Official Statement
"This was an enormous amount of cannabis to be seized from air passengers and would have been extremely profitable for organised crime gangs had it remained undetected," said NCA Branch Commander Kevin Broadhead. "The charges brought against these individuals are an important moment in our investigation, which remains ongoing. Anyone who is asked to smuggle drugs into the UK should think very carefully about the potential consequences if caught."
Author’s Summary
The NCA’s operation uncovered 510 kilos of cannabis worth millions, leading to multiple court charges and highlighting the risks of international drug smuggling.