Florist's drugs case sent to Royal Court

Thursday 13 August 2020

A local florist charged with 10 counts of importing drugs - including crystal meth, diazepam, GHB and GBL - will face the Royal Court later this year.

Cochrane Mark Howe (49) is facing five charges related to Class A drugs and five related to Class C.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 1 January 2018 and 5 November 2019 at Jersey Airport.

Pictured: The offences are alleged to have taken place at Jersey Airport.

Mr Howe is accused of being "knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of the prohibition in force with respect to the importation into the island" of various Class A and Class C controlled drugs.

These include methylamphetamine (known colloquially as 'crystal meth'), cocaine, Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL), Gamma-Hydroxybutyric (GHB), as well as prescription drugs diazepam, which is used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms and fits, and zopiclone, a type of sleeping pill.

Mr Howe appeared in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, alongside his defence lawyer, Advocate Mike Preston, for his case to be formally committed to the Royal Court.

Pictured: Magistrate Bridget Shaw explained the case was "too serious" for her court to deal with it.

Magistrate Bridget Shaw explained the case was "too serious" for her court to deal with it, adding that Magistrate's Court sentencing powers were not enough. 

Crown Advocate Matthew Maletroit appeared for the prosecution. 

Mr Howe's next appearance will be before the Royal Court at a date that has yet to be set.

He has been released on bail in the meantime.