Customs raids net huge £370,000 heroin haul

Tuesday 24 March 2015

Heroin worth more than a third of a million pounds has been seized from two properties in town over the last week.

Customs Officers swooped on properties in St Helier on Thursday and Saturday, and have arrested three men.

The operations were not linked, but the hauls bring the value of total seizures for the year up to almost £1 million.

Customs and Immigration Department Director of Law Enforcement Mark Cockerham said that the operations stopped a significant amount of heroin hitting the streets.

He said: “It’s been a busy first quarter in 2015 at the borders with a variety of drugs including heroin, cocaine, psychoactive substances and cannabis and being encountered through a variety of methods.

“The recent heroin seizures are significant in that it will have prevented widespread distribution within the Island.”

The first seizure on Thursday saw £120,000 worth of the Class A drug seized, and two men from the UK arrested and charged with importation offences.

The second, on Saturday, involved the seizure of £250,000 worth of heroin. A 21-year-old local man has been charged with possessing a controlled drug with intent to supply.

The Customs and Immigration Department have reminded members of the public that there is a Freephone number that they can call in complete confidence if they want to report drug dealing. Anyone can call 0800 73555555 and talk to a Customs Officer.