Four charged after £500k St. Catherine's drug seizure

Monday 24 June 2019

Four men allegedly involved in smuggling £500,000 of cannabis, MDMA and cocaine into the island using a 37-foot yacht have been arrested and charged with drug importation.

UK residents Nicholas Thurban (60), Paul Brown (57), Colin Sait (44) and Jerseyman Daniel Riley (25) were indicted in the Magistrate’s Court this morning.

Their court appearance follows a joint operation between the States of Jersey Customs and Immigration Service, the States of Jersey Police, UK Border Force Maritime Command and French Customs that led to the major drug seizure on Friday 21 June.

Pictured: UK Border Force with suspect vessel alongside in St Helier Harbour, following the drugs seizure and arrests.

In total, the forces netted 5kg of cannabis, 2 kg of MDMA (ecstasy) powder, 2kg of MDMA (ecstasy) tablets and 1kg of cocaine in St. Catherine's Bay. 

The mixture of Class A and B drugs, which have a reported street value of £500,000, were believed to have been imported from England in a 37-foot yacht.

A spokesperson said no more information could be provided, as a live investigation is still ongoing.

Pictured top: UK Border Force vessel intercepting yacht suspected to be involved in the drug seizure, St. Catherine's Bay.