15 January 2024
A 23-year-old man from Scarborough has today, January 15, 2024, been sentenced to 3 years and 6 months imprisonment for the importation of 6.63 grams of cocaine and 119.77 grams of ketamine, a Class B controlled drug, with a combined street value of £11,300.
George Howard Valentine arrived in the Island on Sunday 10 September 2023 as a foot passenger on board the Condor vessel from Poole, when he was stopped by Jersey Customs and Immigration Service Officers (JCIS).
Valentine advised officers that he was currently homeless and was visiting the Island to pay his respects to his grandmother, following her death.
He also stated that he would be travelling onto Guernsey to meet with a potential employer in the construction industry.
Officers became suspicious that Valentine was carrying controlled drugs and during a search of his person a material sunglasses pouch containing the drugs was discovered, concealed in his underwear.
He immediately admitted that the package contained “ket and coke" and later said in interview that he was carrying out the importation to clear a drugs debt.
Paul Le Monnier, Senior Manager at JCIS said: “This was an unsophisticated attempt to import controlled drugs to the Island that was thwarted by the vigilance of our officers."
Anyone with information on drug smuggling can report it anonymously via 0800 735 5555.
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