Sian Warren, 34, and Daniel McDonald, 36, bailed under curfew after National Crime Agency officers allegedly found 51kg of cannabis hidden in their luggage
A British couple have been charged with attempting to smuggle cannabis worth £1million into the UK after being caught with more than 51kg of the drug allegedly hidden in their luggage at Heathrow Airport.
Sian Warren, 34, and Daniel McDonald, 36, from Salford, Greater Manchester, were stopped by National Crime Agency officers after flying back from Thailand – adding to the growing list of Britons caught up in drug smuggling operations linked to the Southeast Asian nation.
The pair appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court charged with importing Class B drugs and were bailed under strict curfew conditions ahead of a plea hearing at Isleworth Crown Court on June 26.
In shocking scenes that have become all too familiar, the couple were allegedly found with the massive haul of cannabis distributed across FOUR suitcases as they attempted to pass through customs.
‘She’s not brought anything back’
Warren’s distraught father Tony has spoken out in disbelief at his daughter’s arrest, insisting she is innocent of the charges.
Sian’s not brought anything back, definitely not,” he told The Sun. “She had her suitcase with clothes in it.”
But officials remain unconvinced as this latest bust highlights the alarming trend of British travelers being caught up in drug smuggling operations linked to Thailand’s booming cannabis trade.
The Thailand connection
The arrests come as both Warren and McDonald are reported to have gone to Thailand on holiday last month, joining a disturbing pattern of Britons returning from the country with drugs.
Border Force have detected 1.5 tonnes of cannabis coming through the post in the first quarter of 2025 – a 90% reduction, which is a result of the extra checks taking place in Thailand, according to government figures.
The crackdown follows over 800 cannabis smugglers being intercepted between October 2024 and March 2025, with over 9 tonnes of cannabis seized through enhanced cooperation between UK and Thai authorities.
Drug mule epidemic
The Salford couple’s arrest is just the latest in a string of high-profile cases involving young Britons caught smuggling drugs from Thailand:
- Bella May Culley, 18, from Billingham, was arrested in Georgia with 14kg of cannabis and 2kg of hashish after flying from Thailand
- Charlotte May Lee, 21, a former TUI air hostess from South London, was caught in Sri Lanka with 46kg of deadly synthetic drug ‘kush’ worth £1.2million
- Cameron Bradford, 21, from Hertfordshire, was detained in Munich with cannabis after returning from Thailand
In March 2025, over half the 13 foreigners arrested for trying to smuggle 826 kilos of illegal substances out of Thailand were young Brits, according to Thai police.
How gangs target vulnerable Brits
Thai law enforcers believe that the ease of entering and leaving Thailand without a formal visa is leading to the targeting of UK nationals to act as drugs smugglers.
British passport holders can enter Thailand for up to 60 days without a visa, making them attractive targets for criminal gangs.
We’re seeing tourists lured by promises that are effectively golden handcuffs,” warns Somchai Prasert, former Thai narcotics officer. “Once they accept these offers, they become trapped in criminal activities with severe legal consequences.”
- Unsolicited offers of free accommodation or flights
- Promises of significant cash payments for “small favors”
- New “friends” who befriend tourists and offer lucrative opportunities
Cannabis confusion
Potential drug mules may also be fooled by the 2022 decriminalization of cannabis in Thailand and the subsequent boom in retail outlets, especially in tourist-orientated areas.
This has led to an erroneous belief that checks at airports are a mere formality. In fact, the export of drugs is rigorously controlled by the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances legislation.
NCA warning
Alex Murray, NCA Director of threat leadership, said: “The NCA continues to work with partners at home and abroad to target high-risk routes, seize shipments of drugs and disrupt the OCGs involved, denying them profits. We have been working well with the Thai authorities who are keen to intervene. Couriers should think very carefully about agreeing to smuggle cannabis.”
Record seizures
The scale of the problem has reached unprecedented levels:
- Since Thailand became the first Asian nation to decriminalise cannabis two years ago, British ports and airports have recorded a surge in drug seizures smuggled from the kingdom
- In the last fortnight alone, more than 260kg (573lbs) of cannabis was discovered in suitcases at UK airports, carried by passengers arriving from Bangkok
- Over 50 British nationals have been arrested in Thailand for attempted cannabis smuggling since Operation Chaophraya began in July 2024
Zero tolerance approach
Both the UK and Thailand are taking a zero-tolerance approach on criminal gangs who are exploiting vulnerable people to smuggle drugs across the UK border on their behalf.
Immigration Minister Seema Malhotra said: “Our partnership with Thai customs has slashed cannabis smuggling in the post by 90% in just three months. This collaboration is delivering real results and it’s a prime example of how international cooperation is crucial to our Plan for Change, safer streets mission.
The human cost
Those caught face devastating consequences. In the UK, drug smuggling can result in lengthy prison sentences, but the penalties abroad are even more severe:
- In Thailand, drug trafficking can carry sentences of up to life imprisonment
- In Sri Lanka, Charlotte May Lee faces up to 25 years in prison
- In Georgia, Bella May Culley could face 20 years to life behind bars
Expert speaks out
Jonathan Wheeler, who spent 18 years in a Thai prison for smuggling, explained how gangs target vulnerable tourists.
“They [the gangs] are trying to be successful and make money to get another meal. They are trying to get you to do it again in the future. They will target vulnerable people. They’ll see that they’re down on their luck and they’re offering the run. They don’t want to come home, so they think ‘yeah, I’ll take the chance.”
Mother’s warning
Levi-April Whalley, 31, who was caught smuggling £160,000 worth of cannabis from New York, spoke out about the Warren and McDonald case.
“I believe if I was caught abroad it would have been a complete different outcome for myself,” she told The Mirror. “I believe I would have been in the same situation as them. I feel relieved that I did get caught in the UK looking at them.”
She added: “I don’t know the ins and outs, but from my own experience, they seem to have been in similar situations to me – I was just following what my friend was doing and influenced negatively without thinking of consequences due to where I was in my life then.”
What happens next
Warren and McDonald remain on bail under curfew conditions as they await their plea hearing at Isleworth Crown Court on June 26.
If convicted of importing Class B drugs, they could face up to 14 years in prison and an unlimited fine.
Meanwhile, authorities on both sides continue their crackdown on the drug smuggling networks exploiting vulnerable British tourists.
As one customs official put it: “This has been a real nuisance.”
The message to would-be drug mules is clear: the paradise holiday could quickly turn into a nightmare behind bars.
