Drug mules running rampant in the north of England face tougher penalties.

British “mules” caught smuggling cannabis from Thailand have been jailed for every kilo, taking new tough measures to combat the “explosion” of drug trafficking.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) warning came later. BBC North West investigation He heard how gangs were making huge profits by sending loads from Bangkok to the UK in bags destined for the streets of towns and cities in the north of England.

The agency is working with Thai authorities and the Home Office to contain the outbreak.

Anyone caught trying to fly the drug out of Thailand must pay Thai customs 30,000 baht – £68 per kilogram of cannabis – to leave the country.

The number of smuggling attempts from Thailand continues to rise sharply – despite efforts to tighten the relaxed rules around cultivation – as traders try to tap demand for the super-strong weed.

Last year, 976 air passengers were caught bringing cannabis into the UK, a significant increase compared to 142 people arrested in 2023.

And 2026 saw 600 couriers arrested at UK airports in the first six months.

The agency said the “average” smuggler caught in Thailand with 26kg (57lb) carries a fine of £17,680 under the new law which came into force on 17 June.

Failure to pay would result in criminal charges of up to two years in prison, he said.

Becky Wright, head of the NCA’s border threat team, warned of potential couriers: “The criminal gang that pays you to smuggle them will leave you high and dry.”

She added: “If you’re found guilty, you face potentially life-changing prison sentences in the UK and especially abroad. You’ll also have a criminal record, which will affect your future employment opportunities and ability to travel abroad.”

“It’s not worth the risk.”