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Passengers flying from Los Angeles to Heathrow could face increased security checks after 11 travellers were arrested on suspicion of smuggling cannabis in eight days.

Investigators said cannabis grown in California, where it is legal, commands a higher price among drug dealers in the UK.

Eleven people have been stopped at Heathrow between Tuesday January 10 and January 17, with more than 400kg of the drug seized in total.

The drugs, with an estimated street value of £5.5 million were found as passengers attempted to smuggle the contraband through Heathrow Airport. 

Customers officers have seized cannabis worth more than £5million from passengers arriving at Heathrow Airport from Los Angeles over the past eight days

The drugs have all been vacuum packed and hidden in the checked-in luggage of US nationals arriving in Heathrow from Los Angeles 

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The National Crime Agency said the passengers flew from LA to Heathrow and hid the cannabis in their checked-in luggage. 

NCA Heathrow Branch Commander Andy Noyes said: 'In light of this unusual series of seizures, law enforcement will undoubtedly be paying more attention to passengers on the Los Angeles to London route and stepping up checks.

'Our investigation into these events continues but I'm making a direct appeal to anyone considering getting involved in transporting drugs to the UK. Think very carefully about the consequences.

'Couriers who bring illicit substances in to the UK play an important role in fuelling organised crime, consequently those who are caught face stiff jail sentences. It simply isn't worth the risk.'

Nine people have been charged with attempting to import class B drugs and the two suspects arrested on Tuesday are being questioned.

Each courier was carrying between 30 and 40kgs of cannabis which had been sealed in a vacuum-packed container. 

Five women and four men - all US nationals flying into Heathrow Airport from Los Angeles in the US - were already arrested and charged over the last week.

All nine of the American citizens that have been charged are facing counts of trying to import class B drugs and have been remanded in custody pending further court appearances.

The National Crime Agency has increased security at the airport due to the continued smuggling attempts 

The NCA warned couriers that they will face long jail sentences if they are caught smuggling drugs into the UK

This included Kiara Lanee Malone, 31, Sabrina Desiree Hobby, 29, Zohrab Idzhyan, 48, Anthony Sarkis Hoffman, 33, Ara Janneh, 25, Madani Ba Junior, 23, Dana Ree Freeman, 31, Kerri Marie Hall, 32, and Zered Afuhia-I-Moana Akolo, 26.

Malone - the first passenger - allegedly arrived on last Tuesday, January 10, and Border Force officers seized around 30 kilos in her checked in baggage, it was claimed.

A second seizure was made three days later when Hobby was stopped, followed by two on Saturday, four on Sunday and another on Monday.

In total more than 340 kilos of herbal cannabis with an estimated street value of more than £5.5 million has now been seized, Britain's FBI - the NCA - said.

Janneh, Junior, Freeman, Hall and Akolo were allegedly the latest to arrive and are all due to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

Hobby, Idzhyan and Hoffman were in the dock at the same court on Monday and were remanded to next appear at Isleworth Crown Court next month.

Malone appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Thursday, January 12 and was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing at Isleworth Crown Court.

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