British Woman Has Pleaded Guilty to Smuggling £512,000 Worth of Cannabis From Thailand, After Posting on Facebook About ‘Cutting the Grass’

Amy Jayne Durban, 45, was arrested at Heathrow Airport on 6 July. A British woman has pleaded guilty to smuggling £512,000 worth of cannabis from Thailand, after posting on Facebook about ‘cutting the grass’. Durban, of Hemyock, Devon, was found with two suitcases containing 51.2kg of cannabis.

Days before her arrest, Durban posted on Facebook: On her way home to cut the grass if ya know what I mean. No ETA so you won’t know I’m about to hit your lawn. Following an appearance at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court back in July, Durban pleaded guilty to smuggling Class B drugs on Thursday, 6 August, at Isleworth Crown Court.

She is set to be sentenced on 14 October and has been remanded. Last month, the National Crime Agency (NCA) announced a crackdown in Thailand alongside its partners in the country. Those caught trying to smuggle cannabis now face huge fines – around £680 per kg, the NCA said.

The ‘average’ smuggler is caught in Thailand with 26kg – equalling a fine of £17,680. If it isn’t paid, the smuggler will go to jail for up to two years in Thailand. NCA senior investigating officer, Mark Abbott, said: There are really bad outcomes at home and abroad when couriers are caught smuggling cannabis. As well as time in prison, a life-changing conviction will damage future career and travel prospects. People should understand that these crime groups use profits from cannabis smuggling to fund the trafficking of other drugs too.