“Intercepts, secret sources and bugs helped in drug seizures worth £1.8 million last year”

Wednesday 01 June 2016

An independent review of police bugging and phonetaps has found that they were properly used last year, and contributed to the seizure of £1.8 million worth of drugs, and to prison sentences totalling nearly 40 years.

The annual review of Police and Customs Officers’ use of electronic surveillance and covert human intelligence sources has raised no concerns – but has described the use of covert sources as “conscientious and effective”.

Investigatory Powers Commissioner Sir David Calvert-Smith – a former Director of Public Prosecutions and High Court judge – also found that applications were refused or resubmitted on a “significant number of occasions”, which he says demonstrates that applications are being thoroughly scrutinised.

An annual report by the independent commissioner is filed each year in accordance with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Jersey) Law 2005 and the Police Procedures and Criminal Evidence (Jersey) Law 2003.

Sir David reviewed confidential data and spoke to officers in putting together the review.

He found that: “It is clear that the information gathered as the result of the conscientious and effective use of the powers contained within the Laws has contributed significantly to the prevention and detection of crime, particularly serious crime, within the Bailiwick during 2015.

“During 2015 the use of one or more of the powers contained in the 2 Laws has, directly or indirectly, contributed to the following results: the recovery of more than £1.8 million-worth2 of dangerous drugs, cash and other property, the proceeds of crime; sentences of imprisonment totalling nearly 40 years, and a number of non- custodial penalties; and the prevention of other serious offences.”