Two more US nationals have been arrested after allegedly trying to smuggle cannabis with a street value of more than £5.5 million in suitcases from Los Angeles into the UK. Earlier this week nine suspects were stopped at the border and accused of trying to sneak millions of pounds worth of marijuana into Britain.
They were stopped at the border with between 30 and 40 kilos each, vacuum packed in their luggage on over 10-hour flights from LAX to Heathrow Airport, police said. Two more US nationals were arrested at Heathrow yesterday (Tues), with what is thought to be around 60 kilos of hash.
These latest arrests of alleged drug couriers means a total of 11 suspects have now been arrested off flights from California in just eight days. In each case Border Force officers seized between 30 and 50 kilos of cannabis in checked in baggage - with a total more than 400 kilos (63st) now seized, the NCA said.
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Experts said cannabis from California, where it can be grown legally, can fetch a much higher price by selling to gangs in the UK. The two arrested yesterday are currently being questioned by investigators, but have not yet been charged, the NCA added.
Andy Noyes, National Crime Agency (NCA) Heathrow branch commander described the arrests as an "unusual series of seizures" and pledged to step up checks on arrivals from LA. He said today (Wed): “In light of this unusual series of seizures, law enforcement will undoubtedly be paying more attention to passengers on the Los Angeles to London route and stepping up checks.
“Our investigation into these events continues, but I’m making a direct appeal to anyone considering getting involved in transporting drugs to the UK. Think very carefully about the consequences. Couriers who bring illicit substances in to the UK play an important role in fuelling organised crime, consequently those who are caught face stiff jail sentences. It simply isn’t worth the risk.”
Five women and four men - all US nationals flying into Heathrow Airport from Los Angeles in the US - were already arrested and charged over the last week. All nine of the American citizens that have been charged are facing counts of trying to import class B drugs and have been remanded in custody pending further court appearances.
This included Kiara Lanee Malone, 31, Sabrina Desiree Hobby, 29, Zohrab Idzhyan, 48, Anthony Sarkis Hoffman, 33, Ara Janneh, 25, Madani Ba Junior, 23, Dana Ree Freeman, 31, Kerri Marie Hall, 32, and Zered Afuhia-I-Moana Akolo, 26. Malone - the first passenger - allegedly arrived last Tuesday (Jan 10) and Border Force officers seized around 30 kilos in her checked in baggage, it was claimed.
A second seizure was made three days later when Hobby was stopped, followed by two on Saturday, four on Sunday and another on Monday. In total more than 340 kilos of herbal cannabis with an estimated street value of more than £5.5 million has now been seized, Britain's FBI - the NCA - said.
Janneh, Junior, Freeman, Hall and Akolo were allegedly the latest to arrive and are all due to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. Hobby, Idzhyan and Hoffman were in the dock at the same court on Monday and were remanded to next appear at Isleworth Crown Court next month.
Malone appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court last Thursday (Jan 12) and was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing at Isleworth Crown Court.
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