Two Malaysian nationals jailed after attempting to smuggle £200,000 worth of cannabis into Belfast

Two foreign nationals have been sentenced to prison after attempting to smuggle nearly 27 kilograms of cannabis into Northern Ireland through Belfast International Airport.

The drugs, with an estimated street value of £200,000, were discovered in suitcases carried by the men who had travelled from Malaga, Spain.

The offenders, Jason Chah Kok Siong, aged 27, and Ho Wen Feng, aged 25, both Malaysian nationals, were arrested on 13 December 2024 following a coordinated operation involving airport ground crew, Border Force officers, and the National Crime Agency (NCA).

The case unfolded when ground staff at Belfast International Airport detected a “strong smell of cannabis” coming from a silver suitcase while unloading baggage from the aircraft. Suspecting illegal activity, they immediately alerted police officers stationed at the airport and Border Force personnel.

Rather than removing the bag immediately, officials chose to observe who would collect it. The suitcase was discreetly placed on the baggage carousel, where officers witnessed Siong and Feng retrieving it. The pair were then monitored as they attempted to leave the arrivals area.

Cannabis found hidden in vacuum-sealed packages

Upon interception, officials conducted a search of the luggage. Inside the suitcases, they uncovered a total of 52 vacuum-sealed packages containing 26.7 kilograms of cannabis. The packages were tightly packed and professionally concealed, indicative of a well-organised smuggling attempt.

Both men were immediately arrested and taken into custody, where the NCA launched a formal investigation.

Under questioning, Siong and Feng claimed that they had met an unknown man at a hotel in Malaga, who asked them to transport the bags to Northern Ireland. They insisted they were told the contents were edible birds’ nests, a delicacy in parts of Asia, and denied any knowledge of the drugs.

Despite these claims, investigators believed the evidence pointed clearly to deliberate involvement in drug trafficking.

Charged and sentenced at Antrim Crown Court

The defendants were each charged with:

• Possession of a class B drug with intent to supply

• Possession of a class B drug

• Importing a controlled drug into the UK

On 25 June 2025, both men appeared before Antrim Crown Court, where they were each sentenced to 21 months in prison. In addition to the custodial sentences, the court confirmed that both will be deported from the United Kingdom upon completion of their prison terms.

The case has been cited as a further example of the UK’s proactive stance on cross-border drug trafficking and the increasing role of international criminal networks using low-level couriers to transport illegal narcotics across Europe.

NCA statement: “Life-changing consequences for couriers”

Following the sentencing, David Cunningham, NCA Branch Commander, warned others involved in drug smuggling of the risks and consequences.

“These convictions should serve as a warning to would-be couriers – you could face life changing consequences. The NCA will continue in our work to prevent drugs from reaching the streets of Northern Ireland.”

He added:

“The gangs behind importations like these don’t concern themselves with the fate of the couriers they recruit like Siong and Feng, and only care about the profits to be made from the drugs.

“The NCA is working closely with our partners in Border Force and internationally to disrupt this trade and destroy the business model organised crime gangs are utilising.”

The case also illustrates how airport staff vigilance plays a crucial role in disrupting illegal trafficking operations. In this instance, the detection of a suspicious smell by baggage handlers triggered an enforcement action that removed a substantial quantity of drugs from circulation before it could reach UK streets.

Context: Rising drug smuggling via passenger flights

Law enforcement agencies across the UK and Europe have noted a resurgence of smuggling via passenger flights, as traffickers adapt their methods post-COVID-19 and seek to exploit perceived gaps in airport surveillance.

The use of so-called “clean couriers”, often recruited with little criminal background and from countries with minimal visa requirements, is part of a growing tactic by organised crime groups (OCGs) to reduce the likelihood of detection.

The National Crime Agency, Border Force, and other international partners have significantly stepped up intelligence-led operations, which now include greater scrutiny of flight origins, passenger data, and coordinated monitoring of baggage handling.