British Tourists Arrested in Thailand Over Cannabis

Authorities in Thailand have arrested multiple British tourists for their alleged involvement in a growing cannabis smuggling network operating through Koh Samui airport.

On March 15, four British nationals — Antony Paul Mudd, 62, from London; Billy Daniel Harman, 36, from Newham; Philip Edward Goldstone, 63, from West Ham; and John George Canning, 34, from London — were detained after authorities discovered 131kg of cannabis concealed in eight suitcases.

Richard McMahon, 46, from the UK. — Richard McMahon, 46, pictured with cannabis he is accused of trying to smuggle out of Thailand (Picture: Asia Pacific Press via ViralPres)

According to a police spokesperson, the suspects claimed they were hired by an employer abroad who arranged their travel tickets and accommodation.

The individuals allegedly received the cannabis-packed suitcases at their hotels before attempting to smuggle the drugs on a flight bound for Singapore, with their final destination being London.

A British tourist was arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle 38 kilos of cannabis through an airport in Thailand. Daniel James Hallett, 38, from Hull, was detained by customs officials as he allegedly attempted to board a flight to London from the Krabi International Airport in the south of the country on March 9. Officials had flagged his luggage as suspicious during routine security checks. Upon further inspection, they allegedly discovered 35 vacuum-sealed packages of cannabis flowers wrapped in double-layered bags to keep the drug's telltale smell from escaping. Daniel, who ran a haulage company, was photographed looking glum at the airport while wearing a t-shirt from the Armed Forces charity Turn To Starboard. The cannabis was seized and Daniel was taken into custody at the Nua Khlong District Police Station for further legal action. His case is currently under investigation and authorities continue to review evidence regarding the smuggling attempt. PACKAGE: Pictures, text — Daniel James Hallett, 38, from Hull, was detained by customs officials as he allegedly tried to board a flight to London with 35 vacuum-sealed packages of cannabis flowers wrapped in double-layered bags(Picture: ViralPress)

While cannabis is legal in Thailand, exporting it remains strictly prohibited. Authorities have stated that those who violate this law will face severe consequences.

This latest arrest follows a string of recent drug smuggling incidents involving British nationals. Earlier in March, authorities detained 10 British citizens, one Malaysian, one Dutch, and one Romanian, at Samui International Airport for attempting to carry cannabis back to the UK.

Two British tourists were arrested allegedly with cannabis in their suitcases at an airport in Thailand. Shaun Eric Bainbridge, 36, from Middlesbrough, and Mark Searson-Smith, 23, from Liverpool, reportedly tried to slip the contraband through the Samui International Airport on the island of Koh Samui on March 13. Hit series The White Lotus was recently filmed on the idyllic tropical island, where cannabis farms have sprung up since its legalization three years ago. They were detained after routine inspections found vacuum-sealed cannabis buds packed inside their luggage. PACKAGE: Video, pictures, text — Authorities across Thailand are starting to clamp down on the issue (Picture: Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress)

On March 12, another group of four British nationals and one Malaysian were apprehended for allegedly trying to smuggle 144kg of cannabis to the UK and Singapore via the same airport.

The suspects, identified as Mark Siemaszkiewicz, 46; Richard McMahon, 46; Oluwatosin Peace Adefila, 27; and Bose Esther Fakuade, 26, were photographed pointing at the seized vacuum-packed cannabis.

PICTURED: Oluwatosin Peace Adefila, 27. Four British tourists were arrested for allegedlFour British tourists were arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle cannabis stuffed in seven giant suitcases from Thailand to the UK. The Brits along with one Malaysian national were pulled aside by suspicious security guards as they were about to board planes at the airport on the island of Koh Samui on March 12. Shocked officials opened the 32-inch long cases to find hundreds of vacuum-sealed bags packed with fresh cannabis buds that had been grown at a farm on the popular island, which was recently the setting for the hit series The White Lotus. The total haul - legal in the country but a crime to export - is said to have weight 144kg (320 lbs). Authorities identified the suspects as British passengers Mark Siemaszkiewicz, 46, Richard McMahon, 46, Oluwatosin Peace Adefila, 27, and Bose Esther Fakuade, 26, and Malaysian tourist Tick Chin Tan, 47. They are accused of trying to take the marijuana out of the country via a connecting flight to London Heathrow. PACKAGE: Video, pictures, text — Oluwatosin Peace Adefila, 27, was arrested in March(Picture: Asia Pacific Press via ViralPres)

On March 11, Shaun Eric Bainbridge, 36, from Middlesbrough, and Mark Searson-Smith, 23, from Liverpool, were arrested for similar smuggling attempts.

Authorities also detained Darryl Poole, 30, from Camden, north London, on March 17 after allegedly trying to smuggle 165kg of cannabis from Thailand. During investigations, two ‘suspicious’ bags linked to the haul were traced to Mohammed Azeem Ahmed, 26, who reportedly fled to Hong Kong after allegedly taking possession of the bags from Darryl.

Poole was later apprehended on Koh Samui while attempting to intercept a vehicle he had hired to transport the cannabis-packed suitcases to Bangkok. Investigators believe Poole had planned to

A British woman was arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle cannabis from Thailand to the United Kingdom. Luziela Aaliyah Carvalho, 19, was reportedly caught with 35kg (80lbs) of marijuana while trying to board a plane at the Chiang Mai International Airport on March 4. She was scheduled to fly to Hong Kong before taking a second flight to London on Cathay Pacific flight CX 251 before officers allegedly detected the contraband in her luggage. Police confiscated the drug - which is legal in the country but not to carry across borders in large amounts - and found it was worth around 350,000 Baht (8,100 GBP). Luziela arrest came as Thai customs officials intercepted two other alleged cannabis smuggling attempts through the airport. PACKAGE: Video, pictures, text — Authorities at airports are clamping down on the import and export of the drug (Picture: Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress)

Ship the drugs to Bangkok first due to heightened airport security at Koh Samui.

Police Lieutenant General Panumas Boonyalak confirmed Poole’s involvement, stating he was charged with possessing controlled herbs (cannabis) for sale without permission.

Mark Siemaszkiewicz, 46, from the UK. — Mark Siemaszkiewicz, 46, points at the drugs at the airport (Picture: Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress)

Authorities are now investigating the broader cannabis smuggling network and identifying those involved in the operation.

In a related incident, a British tourist was recently arrested at Phuket airport after allegedly dropping cocaine from his pocket during a public outburst.