About 1.5 tonnes of weed found during probe into class A drug imports between Australia and UK

Skunk weed of nearly 1.5 tonnes and worth about £5.5m wholesale was found in the UK during a probe into drug smuggling between here and Australia.

Two men have been charged with a range of drugs offences after the cannabis was recovered as part of a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation.

The cannabis was discovered on Tuesday (July 15 2025) after raids conducted with support from Warwickshire Police.

The haul was discovered in two locations: around 900kgs in a garage at a property in Tanworth in Arden, Solihull, and around 500kgs at a property in Shenstone in Staffordshire.

NCA investigators made the arrests as part of an inquiry into a crime group smuggling methamphetamine from the UK to Australia, and importing cocaine to the UK.

On Wednesday night, both Peter Stride, 44, and Aaron Asbury, 37, were charged with conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Stride, of Vicarage Hill, Tamworth in Arden, Solihull, was also charged with conspiring to export Class A drugs and conspiring to import Class A drugs.

Asbury, of Sycamore Road, Drakelow, Burton upon Trent, was also charged with conspiring to import Class A drugs.

The men were due to appear at Coventry Magistrates’ Court today (17 July).

A third man who was arrested yesterday at a property in Wombourne, Staffordshire, was released under investigation.