UK Border Force has warned that criminal gangs are targeting young people via social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, grooming them into cannabis smuggling.
Home Office figures show cannabis smugglers caught by plane at UK airports jumped from 142 in 2023 to 976 in 2025.
Already this year, 600 passengers have been apprehended, predominantly men aged 18-31 travelling from Thailand.
Border Force believes these networks are "specifically targeting" school and university leavers, offering cheap or free holidays.
Kate Goldstone, Border Force lead officer for safeguarding, said: “Organised criminal gangs are exploiting young people for profit, living it up while leaving their courier victims facing lifetime consequences.
“Our message to young travellers is simple. If an offer feels too good to be true, it probably is.
“A single decision made before a holiday could lead to a criminal record, a prison sentence and years of lost opportunities.”
Border Force have released a list of tips to avoid this exploitation, including refusing free trips, flights or accommodation, especially to countries where cannabis is legal like Thailand, Canada and the United States.
Holidaymakers were also warned never to travel with a bag that is not theirs and be wary of approaches on social media.
The force have warned that anyone caught smuggling cannabis could face up to 14 years’ imprisonment and restrictions on future travel.
They noted that cannabis seizures are at a record high, with UK law enforcement seizing more than 28 tonnes from air passengers in 2025.
Earlier this year, it was revealed more than a quarter of a million drug seizures were made by police and Border Force officers in England and Wales in 2024/25.
The rise was driven by a sharp jump in seizures of class B drugs such as cannabis and ketamine, including 137 tonnes of herbal cannabis – the largest annual quantity on record.
A total of 269,321 drug seizures were carried out in the 12 months to March 2025, according to figures published on Thursday by the Home Office.
This was up 24 per cent from 217,633 in the previous year and is the most seizures since comparable data began in 1973.
There were 194,682 seizures of cannabis, up 28 per cent year on year from 149,459, with the majority being for herbal cannabis, at 173,215, up 29 per cent from 134,570.
People approached about transporting cannabis or other illegal drugs have been asked to report it to local authorities, consular services, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
