The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a warning to Brits planning to travel abroad with luggage.

With millions of overseas trips made from the UK each year, the FCDO regularly provides crucial information to ensure Brits stay safe while on their travels.

In a recent alert posted on X, formerly Twitter, the FCDO highlighted a serious concern regarding baggage. The post reads: “Criminal gangs are known to pressure people into carrying drugs.

“Always pack your own luggage and do not carry anything through customs for someone else.”

An accompanying graphic further emphasised the message, adding: “There’s no such thing as a free holiday. You booked a jail sentence. Do not carry cannabis through customs for someone else.”

This warning follows incidents where British nationals have been apprehended for smuggling cannabis out of Thailand.

While low-strength cannabis is legal in the south-east Asian nation, the FCDO reminds travellers that cannabis of any strength is illegal in the UK, and potentially in other countries they may visit.

The advisory also reminds passengers that airports possess “excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items”. It warns that anyone caught smuggling cannabis in foreign countries could face severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences or even the death penalty.

The FCDO guidance further states: “Legal processes before court hearings can be long and expensive. It can take many months for a case to go to trial. In some countries, you can be arrested if you have traces of cannabis on your clothing, baggage or within you.

“Random blood and urine tests can be taken to see if it is within you. It is illegal to take cannabis out of Thailand without the appropriate export permissions issued by the authorities.

“Illegally carrying cannabis, particularly large quantities, can lead to heavy fines or imprisonment in Thailand.”