A 31-year-old British woman arrested at Techo International Airport with 34.5kg of cannabis in her luggage has reportedly claimed she was unknowingly used to transport the drugs after a man she met in a Cambodian bar allegedly offered her money to carry a suitcase containing electronics.
According to the report, officers found 71 packages of marijuana weighing a total of 34.5kg as Martins was preparing to leave Cambodia.
The case has drawn attention to the risks faced by foreign travellers who agree to transport luggage or packages for people they have recently met.
Key Facts
| Indicator | Details |
|---|---|
| Suspect | Tamara Martins |
| Age | 31 |
| Nationality | British |
| Reported hometown | Croydon, London |
| Arrest date | September 3, 2026 |
| Location | Techo International Airport |
| Arrest time | Around 5:30pm |
| Drug seized | Cannabis |
| Quantity | 34.5kg |
| Number of packages | 71 |
| Detection | Global Travel Assessment System scan |
| Suspect's claim | She was allegedly set up by a British man |
| Separate airport case | Two foreign passengers arrested September 22 |
| Suspected drug in separate case | Cocaine |
| Separate seizure | 6,009 grammes |
Customs Scan Triggered Airport Inspection
Martins was arrested at approximately 5:30pm on September 3 at the airport's international departure terminal.
According to Suon Piseth, Deputy of the Customs and Excise Office at Techo International Airport, authorities selected the passenger for inspection after an automated alert from the Global Travel Assessment System identified suspicious images in her luggage.
A subsequent inspection found 71 packages of dried cannabis inside the suitcase.
Customs officials subsequently seized the drugs and began procedures in accordance with Cambodian law.
British Woman Claims She Was Set Up
According to a report cited by Khmer Times from the UK's Daily Mail, Martins' younger brother said that his sister had told him a British man approached her in a bar and offered her payment to transport a suitcase containing electronics back to the United Kingdom.
Her family maintains that she did not know the suitcase contained cannabis.
Her brother reportedly said he was unaware that she was in Cambodia until she contacted him after her arrest.
According to the account, Martins told him: “I’ve been arrested.”
The allegation that she was deliberately set up remains her claim and has not been established as a fact in the supplied report.
UK Government Confirms Consular Support
The case has also prompted involvement from British consular authorities.
A spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said the government was supporting a British national detained in Cambodia and was in contact with local authorities.
The case comes amid warnings from British officials about the consequences of becoming involved in drug trafficking or transporting suspicious packages overseas.
UK Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty previously warned British travellers that accepting payments or opportunities involving questionable packages could have severe consequences.
He said that no holiday, payment or opportunity was worth risking a person's freedom, future or life, while warning that detention overseas can involve severe prison conditions and lengthy sentences.
Another Cocaine Case at Techo Airport
The cannabis arrest was followed by another significant drug case at Techo International Airport.
On September 22, Cambodian Customs and Excise officers and immigration police arrested two foreign passengers arriving at the airport after discovering two packages of white powder suspected to be cocaine.
The substances, concealed inside two suitcases, had a combined reported weight of 6,009 grammes, or about 6kg.
Following preliminary procedures and preparation of a customs violation report, authorities handed the two suspects, the seized evidence and related materials to the Anti-Narcotics Department for further legal proceedings.
The case was reported separately from Martins' arrest.
What the Cases Highlight for International Travellers?
The two recent cases illustrate the scrutiny applied to passengers arriving at or departing from Cambodia's international airports when customs screening identifies suspicious luggage.
For travellers, accepting luggage or packages from people they have recently met can create significant legal and personal risks, particularly when the contents have not been independently verified.
The Martins case also illustrates the distinction between an individual's explanation of how prohibited substances came to be in their luggage and what authorities ultimately establish through an investigation and legal proceedings.
Her claim that she was set up has therefore not, on the information available in the supplied report, been independently established.
Angkor Times Analysis
The case highlights a broader issue for international travellers: carrying another person's luggage is not necessarily a harmless favour when the contents are unknown.
The reported discovery of 71 packages weighing 34.5kg demonstrates the scale of the potential consequences when prohibited substances are found inside a passenger's luggage.
At the same time, the allegation that Martins was deceived or deliberately set up underscores why the circumstances surrounding a drug seizure must be determined through investigation and legal proceedings rather than assumptions based solely on the presence of the drugs.
The separate September 22 cocaine case also shows that Cambodian airport authorities continue to conduct inspections involving both departing and arriving international passengers.
For visitors to Cambodia, the practical lesson is straightforward: travellers should maintain control of their own luggage and avoid accepting packages, suitcases or goods for international transport from people whose contents they cannot independently verify.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested at Techo International Airport?
The report identifies the woman as Tamara Martins, a 31-year-old British national from Croydon, London.
How much cannabis was found?
Cambodian customs officials reported finding 34.5kg of cannabis divided into 71 packages inside her suitcase.
When was she arrested?
She was arrested at approximately 5:30pm on September 3, 2026, at the departure terminal of Techo International Airport.
What does Martins claim happened?
According to the report, Martins' family said a British man approached her at a bar and offered her money to transport a suitcase that she believed contained electronics. She claims she did not know it contained cannabis.
Has the “set up” claim been proven?
Not according to the supplied report. It is presented as Martins' claim, while the circumstances remain subject to investigation and legal proceedings.
Is the UK government involved?
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office confirmed that it is supporting a British national detained in Cambodia and is in contact with local authorities.
Was there another major drug arrest at Techo Airport?
Yes. On September 22, customs and immigration officers arrested two foreign passengers arriving in Cambodia after finding 6,009 grammes of suspected cocaine concealed in two suitcases.