Six charged after £13.5m cannabis haul seized at Birmingham Airport
Six men have been charged as part of a National Crime Agency investigation into the seizure of more than half a tonne of cannabis at Birmingham Airport.
The NCA has said that six men have been charged after cannabis worth a street value of around £13.5 million was seized at Birmingham Airport.
It comes after more than half a tonne of the Class-B drug was seized at the airport on August 9, 2024.
Following the seizure, officers made six arrestes at addresses in the Marsh Farm area of Luton and Finchley, in north London, in October 2024.
Kyle Gribben, Zaeon Hunter, Lashan Walken, all aged 26; James Turner and Torian Robinson, both aged 25, and Devonte Newman, aged 22, were arrested by NCA officers, supported by Bedfordshire Police, at addresses in the Marsh Farm area of Luton and Finchley, north London, in October 2024.
The gang was suspected of organising the attempted importation of cannabis between June 1, 2024, and August 9, 2024, including the incident at Birmingham Airport on August 9, which resulted in 11 air passengers from various locations in the UK being arrested and charged.
All 11 had flown into the UK from Thailand via Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
NCA Branch Commander Kevine Broadhead said: “Anyone who tries to smuggle drugs into the UK should be aware of the serious consequences, which include a conviction and time behind bars.
“The NCA works closely with law enforcement partners, such as Border Force at home, and those overseas to attack high-risk routes, seize drug shipments and disrupt the organised crime groups involved, hitting their profits.”
All six men appeared at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Friday, April 10, where they were bailed until their next appearance at Birmingham Crown Court on May 8.