Septuagenarian smuggler claimed he was meeting Russian millionaire's wife

Friday 10 January 2025

A man in his 70s has been jailed for two years after being caught with £65,000-worth of amphetamine hidden in the fuel tank of his car – and telling Customs officers he was travelling to meet the wife of a Russian millionaire.

Paul Cassidy (73) tried to enter Jersey via ferry on 12 October last year, but officers selected his car for an inspection.

Brentwood-based Cassidy had made his booking under the name Edward Henry Bushell, and his car as registered under this name too, and had booked a stay at the Ommaroo Hotel.

He tried to claim that he didn't know if the vehicle had had any work done on it, as he had only purchased it two weeks ago, Crown Advocate Lauren Taylor, prosecuting, told the Royal Court today.

Pictured: Cassidy was sentenced in Jersey's Royal Court this morning.

He told one Customs officer that he "had come over to meet a woman married to a Russian millionaire".

He then claimed he was meeting three people at the Tivoli Tavern to watch football.

But, while searching the car, officers found that the screws holding the fuel tank "had been tampered with", and found a package hidden inside the car.

Pictured: The package hidden inside the car.

They arrested Cassidy, who said at interview: "I have no idea who put that package, but it wasn't me."

But he admitted that he had amphetamine in his wallet.

In total, officers found 908g of amphetamine, divided into six separate packages, and 9g in the wallet – altogether estimated to be worth between £50,000 and £65,000.

When interviewed, he denied that he knew about the package under his car, but he pleaded guilty to two counts of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of the prohibition on the importation of goods.

Cassidy was sentenced to two years' imprisonment.

The Deputy Bailiff, Robert MacRae, was presiding.