The Home Ministry said the amount of marijuana sent from Thailand to the UK fell by 90% in three months due to cooperation with Thai customs.
The surge in illegal cargo threatened British border forces when Thailand legalized marijuana in 2022 – the postal found 15 tons of drugs at the post in the last quarter of last year.
However, a new deal that requires inspection before shipping the package in Thailand, meaning that the figure has dropped to 1.5 tons in just three months.
Border Minister Seema Malhotra called the deal a “main role model” for international cooperation, helping Labor’s mission to “safeteria” the party.
“By putting these drugs at the source, we are destroying organized crime, protecting communities, and unleashing border forces to focus on other priorities,” Malhotra said.
“Along with our partners in Thailand, the government will continue to take tough action against those who are trying to smuggle illegal drugs across our borders.”
The Ministry of Home Affairs said Thai customs have taken stricter screening measures at the border, which led to the interception of more than 800 marijuana smugglers between October 2024 and March 2025.
During the same period, Thai authorities caught more than nine tons of marijuana.
In the 12 months to March 2024, there were record-breaking illegal drug seizures in the UK last year, border troops and police found 119 tons, with street valued at £3 billion, an increase of 52 per cent per year.
Border Forces seized 15 tons of marijuana from Thailand in three months, supported by Royal Mail [Home Office]
Additionally, passengers from the Home Office intercepted £6 million in marijuana from Bangkok Airport, the operation was linked to border troops stationed in Thailand and National Crime Agency (NCA) officials.
More than 50 British nationals have been arrested for attempts to smuggle marijuana since the Chaophraya operation began in July 2024.
Phil Douglas, Director-General of the Border Force, said: “Our work is not on the border and we work internationally with partners to prevent illegal goods from even reaching the UK.
“We use advanced intelligence more than ever, and we have created record drug seizures, including the highest damage substances.
“Border Forces remain fully committed to protecting our borders and ensuring our streets are safe.”
