Four Brits face 10 years inThai prison after they are 'caught smuggling cannabis stuffed inside seven suitcases while returning to UK'
By SABRINA PENTY
Published: 07:32 EDT, 13 March 2025 | Updated: 11:32 EDT, 13 March 2025
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Four British tourists have been arrested in Thailand for allegedly trying to smuggle cannabis stuffed in seven giant suitcases to the UK.
The Brits were pulled aside by suspicious security guards just before they boarded their flight at the airport on the island of Koh Samui yesterday.
Shocked officials opened the 32-inch long cases to find hundreds of vacuum-sealed bags packed with fresh cannabis buds that had been grown at a farm on the popular island.
The total haul - legal in the country but a crime to export - is said to have weighed 144kg.
Authorities identified the suspects as British passengers Mark Siemaszkiewicz, 46, Richard McMahon, 46, Oluwatosin Peace Adefila, 27, and Bose Esther Fakuade, 26.
They are accused to trying to take the marijuana out of the country via a connecting flight to London Heathrow.
A police spokesman said: 'Mr Mark and Mr Richard were in possession of two suitcases each containing vacuum-sealed bags of cannabis flowers totalling 85 kilogrammes. They were planning to transport the cannabis to London as part of a debt-clearing arrangement.
'Miss Peace and Miss Esther, also British citizens, each carried one suitcase containing cannabis flowers (totalling 36 kilograms) for the same destination, London'.
Four British tourists were arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle cannabis stuffed in seven giant suitcases from Thailand to the UK. Pictured: Oluwatosin Peace Adefila, 27 - one of the Brits arrested
Pictured: Bose Esther Fakuade, 26. She was one of the four Brits pulled aside at Koh Samui airport and was allegedly found to be smuggling cannabis
Pictured: Richard McMahon, 46. He is one of the Brits accused of allegedly trying to take marijuana out of Thailand
The contraband was seized and the suspects were charged with violating the Customs Act, officials said.
If convicted, the British tourists could face up to 10 years in prison.
Police have been tightening security at Thai airports amid a spate of cannabis smuggling attempts in recent weeks.
British tourist, Daniel James Hallett, 38, was also arrested in Thailand last week for allegedly trying to smuggle 38kg of cannabis through an airport.
Hallett, from Hull, was attempting to board the flight from Krabi International Airport in the south of the country on March 9 when officials flagged his luggage as suspicious during routine security checks.
Upon further inspection, they allegedly discovered 35 vacuum-sealed packages of cannabis flowers wrapped in double-layered bags to keep the drug's telltale smell from escaping.
Hallett, who ran a haulage company, was photographed looking glum at the airport with two giant suitcases with him that allegedly contained the drugs.
The cannabis was seized and Hallett was taken into custody at the Nua Khlong District Police Station for further legal action. His case is currently under investigation and authorities continue to review evidence regarding the smuggling attempt.
Pictured: Mark Siemaszkiewicz, 46
If convicted, the British tourists could face up to 10 years in prison
Police have been tightening security at Thai airports amid a spate of cannabis smuggling attempts in recent weeks
The Brit was charged with violating the Thai Customs Act, as well as breaking laws on controlled herbs. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.
Cannabis with under 0.2 per cent of THC was decriminalised in Thailand in June 2022, as a potential cash crop for impoverished farmers and ministers connected to the pharmaceutical industry.
Cannabis smoking is allowed for personal use in private areas but remains prohibited in public spaces.
However, bungling officials are now seeking to outlaw recreational cannabis, blaming poorly regulated use for allegedly fuelling drug abuse and a rise in the the number of cases of tourists over-indulging in the drug.
Tourist destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya have seen the negative consequences of legalising the drug, with tourists regularly arrested for misbehaving while under the influence of cannabis.
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