Customs bust £500k cannabis haul

Wednesday 11 February 2015

Customs officers have busted a load of cannabis with an estimated street value of more than half a million pounds.

They say it’s part of a trend that they have seen in recent months with drugs gangs trying to get more into the Island – they say that they have seized £1 million worth of cannabis and cocaine in the last few weeks.

The most recent bust was on Friday, when Customs officers were checking a UK-registered vehicle arriving from Weymouth.

They found a hidden area containing 36.5 kilos, which they say is valued in Jersey street prices at £547,500.

The driver, a man from Salisbury aged 35, has been charged with importation of the drugs.

Customs’ director of law enforcement Mark Cockerham said: “This was a routine examination at the ports and the vigilance of the Officers is commendable.

“We have seen a marked increase of cannabis and cocaine in the last few months with approximately £1 million worth in street value seized on its way to Jersey.

“Without doubt New Psychoactive Substances continue to be a major threat but we must also ensure that our intelligence and detection methods target all illegal drugs across the board so that we continue to have an effective border control.”