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Written question asked by James McMurdock (Independent (affiliation)) on Friday, 26 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 30 June 2026. It was answered by Alex Norris (Labour) on Monday, 6 July 2026 on behalf of the Home Office.

Drugs: Smuggling

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Leaders' declaration on the fight against drug trafficking, published on 17 June 2026, what discussions she has had with port operators and shipping companies on strengthening security standards to prevent drug trafficking.

Answer

The Home Office engages regularly with port operators, shipping companies and wider transport partners to support the security of the UK’s borders and supply chains, including to prevent drug trafficking and the facilitation of illegal migration. This includes ongoing engagement with industry to strengthen security practices, improve information sharing, and support collaboration with law enforcement and international partners.

Carriers also have an important role to play in protecting the integrity of the border. Through measures such as the Authority to Carry scheme, the Government works with carriers to prevent individuals who may pose an immigration or security risk from travelling to the UK.

The Government keeps its approach to tackling organised criminality in ports, logistics networks and transport routes under review. We work closely with operational partners and international counterparts to monitor threats, including the risk of organised criminal infiltration and the exploitation of services by organised crime groups, and to disrupt illicit activity through intelligence sharing and joint working.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
13728
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Drugs Organised crime Ports Standards Security Shipping Smuggling Logistics
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk