Eleven Charged in UK Cannabis Smuggling Case

Eleven individuals have been charged with attempting to smuggle over 300 kilograms of cannabis into the UK through Heathrow and Gatwick airports over the weekend. Among those arrested are Siobhan McTavey, 24, from Northern Ireland, who was found with 45 kg of cannabis, and Raekelle Powell, 22, a professional volleyball player from Toronto, who was caught with 19 kg. The arrests followed a series of seizures by Border Force officers, with the National Crime Agency noting that this year's cannabis seizures have tripled compared to 2023, largely due to organized crime networks recruiting couriers. Other detainees included nationals from Canada, Malaysia, and the USA, with quantities of cannabis discovered ranging from 17.1 kg to 43 kg in their luggage. All arrested individuals were remanded into custody, with court appearances scheduled for later this month. The NCA emphasized the ruthless nature of the gangs involved in this trafficking operation, indifferent to the legal consequences faced by the couriers.