Leon Coley said he came across a social media advert offering money. Gemma Edgar said she was trying to clear a gambling debt.

06:00, 29 Nov 2025Updated 08:15, 29 Nov 2025

Gemma Edgar and Leon Coley(Image: Facebook/GMP/M.E.N.)

Two drug mules carrying hefty quantities of cannabis were caught on the same flight. Leon Coley, 30, and Gemma Edgar, 35 – both from Birmingham, but not linked in any way – were on a flight back from Thailand via Dubai when they were stopped 10 minutes apart.

They were questioned by Manchester Airport Border Force officers on September 25 this year. Coley had two medium sized suitcases with him.

A search uncovered 32.9kg of cannabis. He told officers hotel staff had packed his bags for him, claiming he was unaware what was inside.

When officers looked at the contents his phone, a message reading ‘Get out quick’ – received moments before his arrest – was found.

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Manchester Crown Court heard Edgar was stopped with one large suitcase and one small bag. She had a total of 29.9kg of cannabis.

She told officers the drugs were not ‘hers’ and said she had accrued poker debts – around £35,000 – in Bangkok and that she had been intimidated by those she owed money.

Coley and Edgar pleaded guilty to the fraudulent evasion of the importation of a class B drug. Coley was jailed for a year and 10 months, while Edgar was handed a suspended sentence.

Sentencing them, Recorder of Manchester Judge Nicholas Dean KC said there was a ‘high requirement for deterrence’ for importing drugs, which would normally be met with prison terms, but said Edgar would not be jailed due to mental health issues.

The court heard Coley told officers at the airport he had been to Thailand for a social visit and an unknown man offered him money to take back tobacco.

“He said he was to meet him in Birmingham city centre for the handover,” prosecutor Mark Pritchard said. “He denied knowing the luggage contained cannabis and said his initial statement were conflicted due to tiredness.”

Coley’s barrister Nick Wrack said: “He answered an advert on social media – that gives you an indication of how brazen these organisers are. The advert said about making money, he was then told about the cannabis and he did volunteer to do it. He knew what he was getting into.”

Mr Wrack said Coley, who worked as a warehouse operative, was intending to use the money earned from the offence to support his family.

Edgar told officers at the airport that those who she owed money to used ‘intimidation’ to encourage her to get involved. “She was told to meet them in the UK and the consignment of drugs would repay the poker debt,” Mr Pritchard said.

Her barrister Eleanor Brambell urged the court to impose a suspended sentence. “She has been diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder,” she added. “Ms Edgar is remorseful. This was a grave mistake which she regrets and will not make again. She takes full responsibility.”

The court heart that there had been 680 arrests this year alone for the same offence across the country. Judge Dean KC said: “This is an increasingly common offence. These people pray on people with financial difficulties.”

Coley, of Church Street, Birmingham, was jailed for a year and 10 months. Edgar, of Wheeler Street, Birmingham, was handed a year and four month sentence, suspended for two years, with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.