Father attempted to bring £1,000,000 worth of cannabis into the UK by hiding it in a child's suitcase.

In a recent incident, 160 packages of cannabis were discovered spread across five suitcases at Heathrow Airport. A man named Nathaniel Benson, along with a 41-year-old woman and his two children, had just returned from a trip to Bangkok, Thailand when they were stopped by Border Force officials. Upon inspection, officers found that one of the suitcases was checked under one of his children's names.

To their surprise, they uncovered more than 100 kilos of cannabis with a street value of approximately £1million. Benson, a resident of Leeds, was arrested and charged with importing class B drugs after being questioned by the National Crime Agency. The woman he was traveling with, from Harrogate, was also taken into custody but has since been released on bail.

According to NCA senior investigator Ian Truby, this operation was a joint effort with Border Force to crack down on drug smuggling. He also warned individuals who are approached to carry out such illegal activities to consider the consequences, as they may face a prison sentence if caught and convicted.

The NCA reports that the amount of cannabis seized in 2024 has already surpassed the total amount seized in 2023. It is believed that couriers were being misled by their recruiters, who assured them that they would only face a fine if caught. However, the maximum sentence for cannabis importation in the UK is up to 14 years in prison.

Benson appeared before Uxbridge magistrates court on Friday and is scheduled to appear at Isleworth crown court on October 24. This incident serves as a reminder that drug smuggling is a serious offense with severe consequences. The NCA and Border Force are determined to continue their efforts to combat illegal drug trafficking and keep our communities safe.

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