British woman faces up to 20 years in Cambodian prison over 34.5kg cannabis seizure

Phnom Penh, Cambodia — Tamara Martins, a 31-year-old British woman from Croydon, could face up to 20 years in a Cambodian prison after being arrested at Techo International Airport with 71 packages of cannabis, totalling 34.5 kilograms, allegedly concealed within her luggage. The Sun reported that Martins was allegedly recruited unknowingly to smuggle drugs, only realizing the truth when airport officials inspected her bags.

Martins claims she was set up by a man who approached her at a bar, offering payment to transport electronic equipment back to the UK. Her brother, Trey, who is caring for Martins' 10-year-old daughter, said he did not learn of her whereabouts until she called him in distress. He explained Martins had no prior criminal history. Martins was reportedly held with over 60 other detainees at a women's prison, where she described conditions as "hell" and struggled with sleep and appetite.

The UK Foreign Office stated there are currently 355 British nationals detained in Southeast Asia for drug muling. Drug smuggling arrests involving Britons overseas more than quadrupled from 2023 to 2025. Martins is now one of the 355 Brits detained in Southeast Asia for being allegedly recruited as drug mules, with many recruits deceived about the contents of luggage, often being told it contains clothes, gold, or cash, while it actually holds drugs.