Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak recently met with a team of UK Border Force officers and their sniffer dogs, including an enthusiastic black spaniel named Jinx. The visit took place at Gatwick Airport and aimed to commemorate Border Force's successful efforts in preventing a record number of illegal drugs from entering the country.
Record Number of Drug Seizures
In the year ending March 2023, Border Force made a total of 25,834 drug seizures, marking a significant 24% increase from the previous year and the highest number on record. This translates to over 92 tonnes of illegal drugs seized by the Police and Border Force, the largest volume since 2003/4.
Prime Minister's Urgent National Priority
During his visit, Prime Minister Sunak emphasized the importance of his flagship Rwanda plan, urging the unelected Lords to support it as an "urgent national priority" in order to "start the flights." While he expressed a desire to expedite the process, he did not provide a guarantee that a plane to Rwanda would take off before the next general election, stating that it is now up to the House of Lords.
Minister for Legal Migration Thanks Border Force
In addition to the Prime Minister's visit, Minister for Legal Migration Tom Pursglove also expressed gratitude towards Border Force officers during his visit to Stansted Airport. He commended their commitment and dedication in safeguarding the country's borders.
Overall, the record number of drug seizures by Border Force highlights the significant efforts being made to protect the UK from illegal substances. The Chancellor's visit to meet the sniffer dogs and officers serves as a testament to the ongoing commitment to maintaining the country's security.
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