Father 'attempted to smuggle £1,000,000 worth of cannabis into UK in child's suitcase' | UK News

A man has been charged with drug smuggling after allegedly attempting to smuggle £1 million worth of cannabis into the UK.

Nathaniel Benson, 45, was stopped by border police at Heathrow Airport while flying back from Bangkok, Thailand, with a 41-year-old woman and his two children.

Officers allegedly found 160 packets of cannabis spread across five suitcases, one of which was made out in the name of one of his children.

More than 100 kilos of cannabis were allegedly seized, with a street value in the UK of around one million pounds.

Benson, from Leeds, was charged with importing Class B drugs following questioning by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

The 41-year-old woman from Harrogate with whom he was travelling was also arrested but has since been released on bail.

NCA chief investigator Ian Truby said: “Working with our partners at the Border Force, we continue to crack down on anyone involved in drug smuggling.”

“I would urge anyone who is confronted with such smuggling attempts to seriously consider the consequences of their actions. If arrested and convicted, they face prison sentences, among other things.”

According to the NCA, the amount of cannabis seized so far in 2024 is already more than three times as much as in the whole of 2023.

Individuals who worked as drug couriers were reportedly told by their recruiters that they only risked a fine if they were caught.

However, the maximum penalty for importing cannabis in the UK is up to 14 years in prison.

Benson appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Friday and will next appear at Isleworth Crown Court on October 24.

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