07.05.2026 11:14
Two British passengers traveling from Thailand to London via Istanbul Airport were caught with 19 kilograms and 260 grams of drugs in their luggage. The drugs, with an estimated market value of around 17 million lira, were seized, and the two suspects taken into custody have been arrested.
Kilos of drugs were found in the luggage of two British passengers who used Istanbul Airport as a transit point to travel from Thailand to London.
PASSENGERS WERE PUT UNDER SURVEILLANCE
The incident occurred on April 26 at Istanbul Airport. Teams from the Customs Enforcement Smuggling and Intelligence unit, affiliated with the Ministry of Trade, put two British passengers who arrived in Istanbul from Thailand and were headed to London under surveillance as part of risk analysis efforts. Identifying the suspects as Taylor Astle Johnson and Holly Ann Cooper, the teams had the passengers disembark from the plane at gate B5 at the airport. Following identity and passport checks, the suspects were taken to the Customs Enforcement unit for a detailed search.
FOUND IN THE SUITCASE
During the searches conducted on the suspects, green plant fragments were found in 17 vacuum-sealed bags inside Taylor Astle Johnson's suitcase. An examination using a drug test kit determined that the substance was 'Cannabis'. The total weight of the seized cannabis was reported to be 19 kilograms and 260 grams. The drugs, estimated to have a street value of 17 million 334 thousand lira, were confiscated.
LAST MOMENTS OF THE SUSPECTS AT THE AIRPORT REVEALED
Footage captured by security cameras showed the last moments of the suspects at Istanbul Airport and the moment they were apprehended by the teams.
THEY WERE ARRESTED
The suspects, who were taken into custody regarding the incident, were arrested by the court after the procedures and sent to prison.