Don’t let a ‘free holiday’ end in a jail cell

Crimestoppers and the National Crime Agency (NCA) have launched a new campaign warning young people that smuggling cannabis from abroad to the UK could land them in a foreign jail.

Criminal gangs are offering young people a taste of the influencer lifestyle through promises of free holidays and cash, in exchange for them taking cannabis to the UK.

Young people are tricked into thinking they can make easy money, or get free holidays, by bringing drugs back to the UK from abroad, without facing risk.

But if you’re talked into smuggling drugs into the UK, regardless of the amount, you could face arrest, a criminal record and end up in prison abroad or in the UK.

The new campaign aims to educate people about the real consequences of smuggling drugs, and the adverse effects these actions can have on their futures.

We’re encouraging people who have information about the criminals making these offers to tell us what they know – 100% anonymously, guaranteed.

Got information? Call free anytime on 0800 555 111 or fill in our quick & secure online form, right here on our website.

Give information anonymously

"Criminal gangs are targeting social media users with the promise of a free holiday and easy money.

"You could be arrested and detained, facing a huge fine or jail abroad, followed by prosecution back in the UK and a criminal record that could follow you for the rest of your life.

"The influencers you see on social media promoting this lifestyle aren't showing you what happens next. We want people to see the full picture. It's not a shortcut to the good life, it's a route to a prison cell."

Beki Wright, Borders Threat Lead at the NCA

Find out more about the new campaign

7 August 2026