A smuggler who attempted to bring cannabis through Birmingham Airport has avoided jail after a court heard he was a victim of modern slavery. Joshua Galland, 33, from Warwickshire, was sentenced to a community order on Monday, May 18, at Birmingham Crown Court after pleading guilty to fraudulent evasion of the prohibition on importing cannabis.
The Incident at Birmingham Airport
Galland arrived at Birmingham Airport on January 24 this year after flying from Thailand via Doha, Qatar. Border Force officials intercepted his luggage and discovered 16 packages of herbal cannabis, each weighing 1 kg, sealed in black carbon paper. Galland admitted the packages belonged to him and that he was aware of the prohibition on importing such items into the country.
Court Reveals Exploitation
Prosecutor Syed Ahmed stated that Galland initially accepted responsibility for the packages. However, the court learned that Galland had been formally identified as a victim of modern slavery through the National Referral Mechanism, the UK's official framework for recognizing victims of modern slavery.
Defense barrister Ashanti-Jade Walton explained that Galland had experienced traumatic events and was particularly vulnerable. She highlighted that he is neurodivergent and had used cannabis as a coping mechanism for difficulties in his upbringing. Over time, his cannabis use increased, leading to severe debt.
Walton said: "The difficulty being the more cannabis one consumes, the more you need to have the same effect." She added that Galland's vulnerabilities were compounded by a spontaneous lung collapse that required surgery, leaving him owing significant sums of money and facing threats. "That's why a man of previous good character travelled to Thailand in the way he did," she said. "A man who was targeted due to his fragility."
No Previous Convictions
Galland had no previous criminal record. He was initially remanded in custody but was granted bail in February with conditions to report weekly to a police station. Walton confirmed that Galland was "ashamed" to be in court but was motivated to ensure he never returned. He has since stopped smoking cannabis and sought counseling, supported by his family.
Walton argued against a custodial sentence, stating: "This is an individual who found himself in a difficult situation, pressured by others and subjected to threats and flew to Thailand because he was scared."
Sentence
The court handed Galland an 18-month community order, which includes 12 days of rehabilitation activity and 200 hours of unpaid work.
