Record year for seizures of illegal drugs reported by Border Force

Almost 150 tonnes of illegal drugs – equivalent to two Boeing 737s – with a street value of £2.6 billion were seized by Border Force. This represents a 40% increase on the total quantity seized in the previous year and, in point of fact, is the highest total since records began.

Border Force and police forces intercepted drugs on a record-breaking 269,000 occasions: an increase of 24% on the previous year.

‘Seize and Return’

The seizures come as new data shows the success of an innovative pilot designed to immediately remove foreign cannabis smugglers from the UK. Border Force’s ‘Seize and Return’ policy, introduced last year, allows officers to return cannabis traffickers to their country of origin, often within hours of them arriving.

To date, 165 criminals responsible for smuggling over four tonnes of cannabis into UK airports have been returned. This has saved British taxpayers an estimated £11.4 million, in turn easing pressure on the prison estate, preventing foreign offenders clogging up the courts system and heading off any potential asylum claims. The scheme has now been rolled out across England and Wales.

Cannabis was present in 93% of all drugs seized by Border Force in the year ending March 2025, with over 62,000 illegal imports intercepted. A record four million doses of nitrous oxide were seized by Border Force and the police, representing a 2,185% increase from last year. The same year also witnessed a surge in criminals attempting to smuggle ketamine into Britain. The total quantity seized by Border Force and police increased by 55% from the previous year to 1.3 tonnes.

Striking a blow

Home Office Minister Mike Tapp said: “Drug seizures are at a record high under this Government with British law enforcement depriving evil gangs of almost £3 billion worth in one year alone.”

Tapp continued: “Every seizure strikes a blow at the heart of organised crime and stops dangerous drugs from inflicting misery on our communities. We will continue to do whatever it takes to secure Britain’s borders against those doing harm to our country.”

Border Force director General Phil Douglas said: “Our innovative ‘Seize and Return’ policy is delivering real results by removing smugglers within hours, saving taxpayers millions, and freeing-up our officers to pursue the organised crime gangs that cause the most harm.”

Douglas concluded: “Border Force will continue to be relentless in its pursuit of dangerous criminal networks and the disruption of illegal drug supply.”

Intensified efforts

Working in partnership, police forces, Border Force, the National Crime Agency and international partners use intelligence and technology to keep the UK’s borders safe, prevent drug trafficking and bring those responsible to justice.    

Border Force has intensified efforts to tackle drug smuggling at sea as organised crime groups attempt to use maritime routes and a range of methodologies (including ‘at-sea-drop-offs’) to smuggle drugs into the country. In January last year, 1.5 tonnes of cocaine with an estimated street value of just under £60 million were detected on a vessel arriving into Dover from Peru.

Officers use a range of methods including specialist search equipment to detect and stop illegal and restricted goods that criminals attempt to bring into the country.  Border Force also employs specialist officers trained to conduct deep searches of ships and vessels.

Organised crime gangs are increasingly using expensive equipment to conceal drugs in the hope that law enforcement will be deterred by the potential costs involved with destroying it. In September last year, Border Force outsmarted criminals who attempted to conceal one tonne of cocaine in two industrial generators.   

Under the Plan for Change, Border Force will continue to build on last year’s success through ongoing operations targeting drug smuggling networks.